flatheadjim Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 Hey Guy's, My 48 P-15 engine developed a rear main seal leak causing the Clutch to chatter on takeoff. I ordered a Rope seal to repair the leak, upon removing the bearing cap I find a neopreme type seal that had some metal in it causing the leak. I checked my engine block number which is P-15 184996 which is what I thought was a 1948 218 block number BUT my engine has the newer type main seal. Upon futher inspection of the engine I found a casting Date behind the Distributor of 6-21-55. Is this Block a 1955 Powerflow 6 engine of 230 Cubes? If so, how did it get a P-15 stamped on it? Anyone know of any other identifing marks on the block that would say it's a 230. If I had the head off I could measure the stroke, maybe I can get that measurement thru the botton since I have the pan off. Anyway, just trying to figure out what engine I have in my Coupe. What say you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 There is a pipe plug in your head above the #6 piston. Remove the plug and you can measure your stroke with a piece of wire inserted into the hole while the engine is hand rotated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 (edited) The p15 indicates the block if from the correct series. Perhaps some one updated it using 230 rods and crank from a later engine, and used the upgraded seal in the process. When I had a problem with my 218, I used the more modern seal. You can determine the stroke using the method Don noted above. Just make sure your wire is long enough 4 3/8 =218. 4 5/8 = 230. Don't expect miracles even with a repaired crank and new seal, the leak was still present, not as bad but, but gone either. Edited December 29, 2009 by greg g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatheadjim Posted December 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I just installed an Edgy Head so I can not measure the stroke thru the head. I tried to measure the stroke from the pan side several times getting a different measurment each time, if I had that third hand we sometimes need I might have gotten a good measurment. Anyway, it's no matter if it's stroked or not I just love my Flathead. The block also has the water pump bypass for the head which tells me it's newer than 48 also. I used the older waterpump type since that was what I have. I think a Block was purchased and installed sometime in the 50s, it has been rebuilt only once since , it has an overbore of .020 on the pistons. This engine runs stronger than the one I had in my 51 truck, and now with the new head and dual carbs it should be even better. When my Winter workings are finished I intend to post pics of my car, I'm pretty proud of my 48 coupe and want to show her off. until then. Keep em running. Flatheadjim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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