Ask the Car People.SM


engine serial numbers

34 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2010 at 2:49 PM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 4

#25 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [Mr_Shiftright] by dlwinn

May 23, 2010 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 23, 2010 4:23 pm)
Here's a reply I received concerning the serial number, which I received from another forum where I asked this same question.
 
Yes your "DR " number is a asigned ID number. Many years ago many states used both engine and chassis ID numbers on titles. So you got a GM new replacement or reman engine you had to go down to the DMV and get it inspected and the title corrected. Dad replaced the engine in our 41 Chevy in 51 and down to DMV we went. Most car makers stopped using engine IDs towards the late 50s and states started using just the chassis ID on title.
 
I'm pretty well convinced that the the 50 truck has a 52/53 216 engine. When getting parts I'll probably treat it as a 52 or 53 engine.

#26 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [dlwinn] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 23, 2010 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: dlwinn (May 23, 2010 7:05 pm)
that makes no sense. DMV is not going to stamp an engine with a new number. You said the DR number was an engine number, right?
 
Yes your engine and your trucks' title could have the same VIN.
 
So what did your *casting* number tell you? That's what you go by.

#27 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [Mr_Shiftright] by dlwinn

May 23, 2010 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 23, 2010 7:17 pm)
It sounds like DMV maybe required new replacement engines or rebuilt engines to have different serial numbers. Not sure, buy my serial number is not a standard Chevy/GM serial number. As for the casting numbers, which make me think the engine is a 52/53 216, here's the info:
 
216 inline head casting #: 1950-53 3835517 All 216
  
216 inline block casting #: 1952-53 3835849 216 Passenger, Truck

#28 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [dlwinn] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 24, 2010 (7:44 am)

Replying to: dlwinn (May 23, 2010 7:59 pm)
Okay. What I meant was, what is YOUR engine's casting #?
 
No, DMV doesn't mess with engine serial numbers. If you truck had a VIN # on the title that was the same as the engine number (this often happened back then, even though your truck has a perfectly good chassis # which SHOULD be on the title), and then if you changed the engine, your truck would still carry the old engine # on the title.
 
If your truck has a CHASSIS # on a plate somewhere, I would make THAT the VIN on the title.
 
As for which engine you have, that's important for ordering parts, as you say, but you don't necessarily have to know the YEAR of the engine, just the type.
 
If you have a 216, then you don't have insert bearings. One tip off is if you drop the pan, you'll see little "dippers" attached to the crankshaft to splash oil on the bearings.
 
It's a very primitive engine and if you are ambitious, it would be nice to put a 235 in there someday.

#29 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [Mr_Shiftright] by dlwinn

May 24, 2010 (9:05 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 24, 2010 7:44 am)
The previous post to your reply has the casting numbers I found, which are for 1952/53 engines (if my search was correct). I also noticed that above the block casting it say "GM 3". On another forum someone said there should be a cast date somewhere on the right side of the block. I wonder if the GM 3 is the year? As for the vehicle serial number (VIN), the tag in the door frame says "20HPC3181", but the engine says "DR140622CAL". Very frustrating trying to figure exactly what engine I have.

#30 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [dlwinn] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 24, 2010 (9:15 am)

Replying to: dlwinn (May 24, 2010 9:05 am)
Not clear here. The engine can't have two casting numbers. Which casting number is stamped on your engine?
 
The chassis number is correct. This is a 1950 3100 series built in Van Nuys California in March 1950, and unless changes, the engine would be a 216 of course.

#31 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [Mr_Shiftright] by dlwinn

May 24, 2010 (9:30 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 24, 2010 9:15 am)
Sorry if I'm confusing things. The casting numbers I found are:
 
head casting #: 3835517 (Research says this is for 1950-53 All 216)
  
block casting #: 1952-53 3835849 (Research says this is for 1952-1953 216 Passenger, Truck)
 
My friend, that was a fleet mechanic for the railroad (long, long ago), says my egine definitely has insert bearings, not babbitt. Maybe I should pull the rod bearing and post a picture.

#32 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [dlwinn] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 24, 2010 (9:36 am)

Replying to: dlwinn (May 24, 2010 9:30 am)
I think you could buy a bearing insert back then that worked in the babbitt rod, if you modified it somewhat.
 
So okay, you have a 216 with modified bearing inserts and rods. I still think, if you are going to keep and restore this truck, that putting in a 235 would be a good idea.

#33 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [Mr_Shiftright] by dlwinn

May 24, 2010 (1:28 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 24, 2010 9:36 am)
I would seriously consider a 235, and probably would have gone that route if I'd had know better, but we already invested in a complete rebuild of the 216 head. So for now I'll probably fix up the 216 (have a few other issues to deal with on it) and then look at swapping it out if it ever dies. The truck has been in my wife's family since purchased, so I was trying to keep it stock for senimental reasons. Thanks for all the input.

#34 of 34 Re: 1950 216 serial number search resources? [dlwinn] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 24, 2010 (2:49 pm)

Replying to: dlwinn (May 24, 2010 1:28 pm)
The 216 is fine as long as you don't try to run it on a freeway. It's perfectly suited to putting around town or on the farm.

Messages Page 4 of 4

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement