The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 55or56b panel

I recently bought a panel,ibelive it is 55 not sure.no paper work.no id plate on the truk any where.the last liscesn plate was 1989.i have a couple question.what shouled the engine be painted? this one is dark blue.

What size engine?

An engine code is stamped into the block, in the ledge to the rear of where the distributor goes into the block.

Before I would invest any money in this suburban, I would get the title in hand and that may require some work.

If the engine is a 6 cylinder, then it would be Chevrolet blue, if V-8 it would be chevrolet orange.

Identification numbers

Found them on a 59

Old discussion

a 55.2/56 engine would have been gray, the car v8 was orange .... also you should find the vin stamped on the top frame rail near the steering box

Bill

the engine paint is dark blue.as far as I tell the eng is a 235.

there's continuing debate and uncertainty about the exact shade of "gray" or "blue", grayish blue or blueish gray is what's generally reproduced I think, but with a 55-60 year old engine, unless the truck has very low miles, it's likely the engine has been repainted or the color is so worn it can't really be positively identified ..... the number stamped on the pad by the distributor and casting dates on the block and head can say if it's most likely original

Bill

thank you red58,ifound a no. on the block by dist.haa37807 does this look right?

Here are locations of various codes on the block and head.

I still have not matched up the numbers.i have a nother question,,would a 55/56 235 still have crank hook on the crank shaft?for cranking,of course..thanks again guys&girls.

If you mean hand crank provision on the Harmonic balancer, Nope..... 216's had them til about 1952 +/-. If your 55.2/56 truck has that, something is amiss.

"crank hook on the crank shaft"
Maybe you are not talking about what I think you are talking about?

What are the numbers?

- block date casting code
- block casting code
- head date casting code
- head casting code
- engine serial number

the numbers I have found are on pad by the dist.

HAA 37807 doesn't say anything for me, someone else may recognize it .... what's needed is date codes as Tim says, the crank fingers are on the balancer I believe, which may or may not be original

Bill

HAA is a 1950 216 car engine (assembled in Flint, MI) Engine Serial Number preface.

By the way, some of us think that 216 engine would have been a darkish blue-gray color.

http://www.1954advance-design.com/Web%20images/PPIP/PPIP-1912-1966-EngineColors.html

Is your engine painted blue-gray or "baby blue"?

well, obviously it's not an original engine or not a Task Force truck, some pictures of things might help, and finding [or not] the number on the frame would help

Bill

more of the saga,the engine has a dark blue paint.fwiw after ckecking the oil.which showed full,i pulled the plug out came about 8 quarts oilnot,water but oil.what do think of that shipmates

Does it have an oil filter?
If it does, does it drain to the bottom of the filter canister?

6 qt would have been the 1950 216 oil capacity, with/including 1 qt oil filter.

The truck design was completely changed in 1955. There was a 1955 Advanced design Truck, same look as previous years (known as a 1955.1) and then a 1955 Task Force was released. Different Body, etc. (known as a 1955.2)I think it's best to know what truck you have as well as the motor that's in it. If not sure, just say if it has a "major" wrap around windshield that goes into the doors a little or a curved, rectangularish one.

I know it is confuseing.i bought the panel without any paper work.it has been stored in a chicken barn.the only numbers I have found are the numbers by the dist.the lady who owns the barn,knew she has blue truck which came with the farm.it is blue panel 55or56now you know as much as,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if it is as cofuseing foryou as it for me,feel free to delete all of the abovethanks again

John,

No need to delete anything.

Can you post a link to a photo of your panel? Or, mail me a photo and I will host-it/post-it.

John, we are here chomping at the bit to help anyone who posts in the panel/suburban section, that's why there is a lot of questions coming your way. We are a small group but very active.

Here's a 19555.1 1 ton panel

1955.2 1/2 ton panel

Once identified, maybe we can help find important data that will help you get it registered. ……….g

It's not confusing, it's interesting...but can you just answer about the windshield for now. That just takes walking out there and looking, no pictures, no numbers. Maybe getting the numbers off of the engine is too much trouble or you are too busy, that is understandable.

Is just the engine color all you wanted to know? If so, we are bugging you too much and will stop asking for stuff and posting data... or at least I will.

you guy are not bugging me at all.i have posted the engine no.a couple of times.here it againhaa37897.that is number by the dist.the van is lite blue.the engine dark blue.it is the same body style as posted by GOMIZ.taking pictures is a hassel rite now.i will breal out the old 35(anyone reminder those?

John, I posted two styles, which one?

GOMIZE,it is the green 55-2,by the way how come I have to log in each time (sometime 4&5 times)I get on the forum?

log in problems are your browser [internet explorer], find the control that allows selection of "compatibility mode" and it might clear up

Bill

Uh, Umm, I uh...., Gomez can help you now. He's a panel/suburban lover also, like me.

Nice find Jon.

John - How are you getting along with getting the TF panel?
I am interested in hearing more.