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1938 engine in my 51 Special?


Voodootrance46s

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What is the stamped serial number? 1939 and later have a stepped inlet manifold

Do you have photo from the front and side?

From 1948? the engines had a side engine mount. Before 1948 or 1947? engine support was from the front by a plate

You need to find a later engine

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Voodoo, is the engine pictured the "'38"? I believe, from what I can see, that is a later engine. May we see a picture of the left [driver] side near the front of the engine?

I can see the side motor mount. A '38 would not have that. The manifold of a '38, which this appears to be, would mount on a later engine. The bell housing appears to be for an older car. Do you believe this to be a '38 because it was mounted in a '38? If we can see the lower left front side of this engine, an answer may be forthcoming.

Ben

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Block is from 1953.

71028844

7102884 = sequential number, 1953 started at 6,950,620

4 = Series 40 (Special), making it a 263

If it was a 1938 it would decode like this:

71028844

7 = Series 70 (no series 70 in 1938, but if there was this would be a 320)

1028844 = sequential number, range for 1938 was 3396937 to 3572651

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If I remember correctly, the 53 Special engine came with modern type main bearings, no longer babbit bearings. I looked for a long time for one of these for my dad's '38 Special, but never found one until after he'd sold the car.

Ed

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If I remember correctly, the 53 Special engine came with modern type main bearings, no longer babbit bearings. I looked for a long time for one of these for my dad's '38 Special, but never found one until after he'd sold the car.

Ed

Yes , Ed, the '53 had insert rod bearings. Actually the 1948 was the last babbitt . In '48, '49, and '50 there was a 248, same as '38. Except with the inserts. 1950 was the last year for the 248, in the Special, and the first 263, in the Super .

Edited by First Born
spelling (see edit history)
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