261 Strange Engine Serial Number Question

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#1388011 Sat Dec 12 2020 03:39 PM

Joined: Aug 2018

Posts: 125

Detroit, MI

1954 MI

Shop Shark

We have what we believe to be a 261 engine with a strange Engine Serial number of "FIII4L" (Serial Number found on the ledge by the distributor)
The three "I's" in a row is what I find strange. Could this mean that it is a replacement engine? (non-factory installed engine)

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank You!
--Tom

Attached Files

Engine Serial Number.jpeg (168.58 KB, 73 downloads)

Re: 261 Strange Engine Serial Number Question

1954 MI #1388014 Sat Dec 12 2020 03:47 PM

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 31,055

USA

tclederman Online

'Bolter

Those Is could be 1s.

Find and post the following: [1954advance-design.com]
block casting code
block casting date
head casting code
head casting date

Tim
1954Advance-Design.com [1954advance-design.com]
1954 3106 Carryall Suburban [stovebolt.com] - part of the family for 49 years
1954 3104 5-window pickup w/Hydra-Matic [1954advance-design.com] - part of the family for 15 years
- If you have to stomp on your foot-pedal starter, either you, or your starter, or your engine, has a problem.
- The 216 and early 235 engines are not "splash oilers" - this is a splash oiler. [chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com]

Re: 261 Strange Engine Serial Number Question

1954 MI #1388017 Sat Dec 12 2020 04:19 PM

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 4,954

Hughesville, MD

Mike B

'Bolter

F = Flint Engine Plant
11 = Month
14 = Day
L = 1958 or newer 261 from a 6000 Series truck

For reasons not known Chevrolet would swap the letter "eye" for the number "1", your code stamping is just one of many examples of this.

Mike B