40special Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 (edited) I have a 1940 Buick Special that I want to possibly replace the engine. I purchased a motor advertised for a 1940 Buick. It also has a rebuilt transmission connected to it. The serial number on the motor indicates it was actually manufactured in 1939. the motor has Buick 8 dynaflash painted on it. Will the motor fit? The serial number for the engine is 43777614 and I did find a number on the transmission but I am unable to source it. It's number is 1812489. I may just sell the car and motor separately depending on whether or not it will fit without jumping through a lot of hoops to make it work. Thank in advance for your feedback. Edited August 22, 2022 by 40special (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Others can correct me, but if it's a 248 from 1939 it should be a drop in. If the trans is also from '39, the linkage works differently and you will have to find a 40 thru 53 trans with a 5 bolt cover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 The small engine was increased to 233 CI in 1935 and the others were replaced with a 320 CI engine in 1936. Continued change in the dimensions of the small engine continued through 1953, but the big engine's basic dimensions remained until the last was installed in 1952. The small engine was increased to 248 CI in 1937 and to 263 CI in 1950. The 320 CI engine is physically longer than the small engine, but the small engine has the same external dimensions, regardless of displacement, leading to a popular substitution of the 263 CI engine in models dating back to 1937. The small engine evolved from one producing 77 BHP in 1931 to 128 BHP in the configuration used in the 1951 and 1952 models equipped with Dynaflow automatic transmission. The 320 CI began with 120 BHP and ultimately produced 170 BHP. The performance increases were in part due to changing internal engine dimensions and compression ratios. Carburetion, valve operations, combustion chamber design and other refinements added to the improved performance. Straight 8 Engines (buickheritagealliance.org) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 (edited) It is a 1939 series 40 special engine 4 3777614. The first digit is the series 4= 40 series 1939 start at 3572652 1940 start at 3786214 1939 & 1940 have different engine-transmission mounts. You need to use the 1940 mounts on your new engine. Simple to swap. 1939 & 1940 have different transmissions. Need to use your 1940 If advertised for 1940 it may already have 1940 mounts and transmission. Someone may have done a swap in the last ~80 years 1812489 will be a casting number, which usually is different from the part number. Photo would help identity. Edited August 22, 2022 by 1939_Buick (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40special Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 Best I have at the moment. The guy that rebuilt was from New Jersey and passed away. His son was the one who sold it to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40special Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 10 minutes ago, 1939_Buick said: It is a 1939 series 40 special engine 4 3777614. The first digit is the series 4= 40 series 1939 start at 3572652 1940 start at 3786214 1939 & 1940 have different engine-transmission mounts. You need to use the 1940 mounts on your new engine. Simple to swap. 1939 & 1940 have different transmissions. Need to use your 1940 If advertised for 1940 it may already have 1940 mounts and transmission. Someone may have done a swap in the last ~80 years 1812489 will be a casting number, which usually is different from the part number. Photo would help identity. I'm new at posting. I did post pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 (edited) Have several 1939 transmission casings with casting number 1308227- x (x varies) Have 1 off transmission, bought as 1940, with casting number 1319416-1 Unsure if 1939 & 1940 bell housings are the same A photo from the other side of transmission would help. 1939 used a cable. 1940 went to (better) solid rod for external mechanism. Position of the dip stick shows as 1939. In 1940 the dip stick went behind the distributor towards the bell housing Edited August 22, 2022 by 1939_Buick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40special Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 6 minutes ago, 1939_Buick said: Have several 1939 transmission casings with casting number 1308227- x (x varies) Have 1 off transmission, bought as 1940, with casting number 1319416-1 Unsure if 1939 & 1940 bell housings are the same A photo from the other side of transmission would help. 1939 used a cable. 1940 went to (better) solid rod for external mechanism. I'll get more pics tomorrow. The motor is off site in storage. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 (edited) These may help idenfitying From bobs Automoblia--->https://bobsautomobilia.com/ https://bobsautomobilia.com/?post_type=product&s=rear+mount https://bobsautomobilia.com/?post_type=product&s=front+mount Edited August 23, 2022 by 1939_Buick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40special Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 17 hours ago, 1939_Buick said: Have several 1939 transmission casings with casting number 1308227- x (x varies) Have 1 off transmission, bought as 1940, with casting number 1319416-1 Unsure if 1939 & 1940 bell housings are the same A photo from the other side of transmission would help. 1939 used a cable. 1940 went to (better) solid rod for external mechanism. Position of the dip stick shows as 1939. In 1940 the dip stick went behind the distributor towards the bell housing Here are some pics of the other side of the transmission and a front motor mount. There were no rear mounts. I did find another number on the transmission #1312488 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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