yellow block cylinder ?

[Lio]

Hello,
When I bought my T3 TD, it came with an engine on the side.  The previous owner  bought it as a renovated engine but he never really checked it.So, here I am with this complete engine which seems to be in good shape. the block cylinder as a date on it 23 - 1 - 85 but there is no engine number engraved and the block cylinder is painted in yellow. I guess this is a new block cylinder, I am just wondering why in yellow ? is standard for off the shelf parts from VW ? 

[mioba]

Its painted to make it look new and i doubt its new VW at that age.

[Lio]

Yes, but it could have been new many years ago but never used. Or maybe it's like you say but I wonder why to take such a burden to paint it in yellow and leave everything else standard...
However since there no engine number on the block, what could be the option? If taken from another vehicle, why would you remove the engine number ? Stolen ???
If coming from vw, I guess it makes sense there is no engine number, but it's a guess...

[silverbullet]

Recons quite often have the engine number ground off but...on inlines it can be so lightly stamped it is often obliterated by surface rust.
VW didn't bother to paint their iron blocks, maybe a puff of black sealing laquer but thats all.