Guest urbs Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Hi, I have a 1941 Buick Sedannett Special with Duel Carbs, and wondered if this was the original Straight 8 engine. The car looked to have been restored many years ago. I believe the engine was taken out, not sure if it was rebuilt, or a different Buick Straight 8 was put in. Here are some numbers I found on the car. A small number plate on the firewall #13985448. I found a stamped number RE-I54027 on the left side of the engine block, can’t seem to find information to match anything with that number. It looks like there is an area for the engine number but nothing is there. Any information would be helpful. Here are a few pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Looks like someone ground off of the serial number (2nd pic). Maybe it gives new meaning to the term "hot engine!" Remnants of red paint on the manifold and cyl head, correct for '41. Remnants of turquoise paint on the engine, not correct for '41 but '42 to '52. Looks like you have a hybrid there. Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 In the last picture one can see the engine mount pad for the '48 or later. I believe the engine number was duplicated under neath the water pump. At least it is on later engines. Do you have a picture of the driver side of the engine? Water pump area and lower side. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest urbs Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Thanks Ben, I'll take more pictures this weekend and look for those serial numbers by the water pump. It struck me odd, that it does look like someone ground off the serial numbers. Hummm. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Does the "RE" mean re-manufactured and re-builder stamped new #s and ground the old ones off. Like Ben says side mount is visable, so would mean late `40s-`52 block, 248/263, the 263 has a raised rib on the exterior side of the cylinders on the drivers side. The valve cover is correct for the dual carb. bat-wing air cleaner, and also has the `41 side lifter cover with the mount for the oil filter, directly below #4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 The RE stands for replacement engine. Buick couldnt make cars, but upped production on engines to keep em running. Since some states used engine #s to register cars, you were supposed to stamp your original engine # on the pad to keep those #s matching car registration. The stamped # after the RE was presumably a way for the factory to track sale/ warranty, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 2 hours ago, urbs said: Thanks Ben, I'll take more pictures this weekend and look for those serial numbers by the water pump. It struck me odd, that it does look like someone ground off the serial numbers. Hummm. Jack To find the numbers I am talking about the pump must be removed. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malo48 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Interesting! I have a '41 dual-carb Special as well but my pushrod cover doesn't have the road draft tube that yours does, and the oil filter is mounted on the cover just forward of the distributor, not above the fuel pump as yours. Now I'll have to check my numbers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Probably you have the original. His is not Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 18 minutes ago, Malo48 said: Interesting! I have a '41 dual-carb Special as well but my pushrod cover doesn't have the road draft tube that yours does, and the oil filter is mounted on the cover just forward of the distributor, not above the fuel pump as yours. Now I'll have to check my numbers! Malo48, Good eye, I didn`t notice the tube, my `41 engine is similar to yours, no vent tube from the lifter cover, engine is vented from the valve cover to the air-cleaner of the dual carbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Here is a photo of the engine number behind the water pump on my '38 Special. It is an original engine. It will be interesting to see if the engines with the "RE..." on them are also stamped that way 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest urbs Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I don’t think I’m going to find that secondary serial number if I have to take off parts, I'll keep looking as I get more involved into it. So, from what you guys are seeing, you think this is a ’48 engine with a ‘41 duel carb manifold? Can you tell what size engine this is if this Is a 248 or a 320 engine. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 The 320 will not fit in a Special Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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