engine serial number

[catfishcuz]

My flathead six #1187-4957 what do i have here CID and year.

[oldmopar]

There should be a letter before the numbers, also on the left side down by there starter there should be a casting date

see link below

http://www.t137.com/registry/help/otherengines/otherengines.php

[catfishcuz]

I have no letter just the numbers by the starter i have 50 and 9 14

[greg g]

Are you looking over the genny and just below the head??? If there is nothing there look for a rebuilders tag riveted to the engine somwhere between the genny and the dizzy.

Engine number are P for plymouth D for Dodge, S for Desoto C for Chyrslr T for Truck or I for industrial. If no number there, Chrysler sold them with blank number boses to rebuilders like Jasper etc. they were supposed to stamp thier number in but many used a riveted on tag in its place.

[catfishcuz]

Yes thats exactly where i got my number from.

[oldmopar]

The casting numbers would seem to indicate sept,14,1950 as to the numbers it may be a replacement engine. On my 48 the engine number pad is blank as it was never stamped (it is not the original engine). As long as it is a dodge flathead and your not rebuilding external parts on the 217 and 230 interchange but I would get the number off the distributer and use that when ordering points

[greg g]

Is the first character an "I" and not a 1??? How long is the head??? If it is a 23 inch engine cast in 54 it is likely a 230. Over #6 cylinder in the center of the head is a pipe plug sticking up. Remove this and insert a piece of stiff wire about 7 inches long. It will ride up and down on the piston as you turn the engine over by hand, pull all the spark plugs for easier effort.

When the wire piston reaches bottom mark the wire, then rotat the engine back up. at the top mark the wire again. ow measure the distance, 4 3/8 = 218, 4 5/8 = 230.

put the pipe plug back i along with the spark plugs

If the number starts with I instead of 1 it is likely from a compressor, welder, pump, fork lift, airport tug, agricultural combine, etc. Nott a big deal unless you are going for concours.