The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine Year vs. Truck Year?

I have a 1953 3600 with a title and a proper looking riveted VIN plate showing a 1953 built in Baltimore. The engine, however, has an AKCA number, indicating a 1952 manufacture.

My question: Did Chevy ever install "last year's engine" in a new truck or is this positive proof that the engine has been changed at some point in time?

Thanks for the help.

Harry

It could be a early 53 built in late 52.

What's the casting date by the starter? While I'm more inclined to think the engine has been replaced, as a '53 model year truck should have a '53 engine code, it could be possible that they used up any leftover '52 engines early in the model year run.

I don't have all the numbers in front of me, but I know it starts with AKCA, which the book says is a 1952 code.

And the VIN is J53B027999. Book says they made over 40K 3600s that year, so it was not an "early" one.

Yes, that is possible.
Your stamped 216 engine serial AKCA is correct for a 3600.

"NEW" models were introduced as letter I (Sept) every year....
So.... block casting date letters I, J, K, L (Sept thur Dec) would be used as the next year.

Lets see if this holds true.
What is your block casting date info.
Something like K 3 52.

What book gives model (3600, for example) production number by years? Does it have all Advance-Design years (and, production numbers by series and by each specific model, 3604 for example)?

I have a few production number documents and they show the following for 3600 trucks:

1950 3600s = 66,581
1952 3600s = 38,717
1953 3600s = 40,617

I probably found one of the same ones you have. Here is the link:

http://1954advance-design.com/Web%2...k%20Production%201953%20Model%20Year.pdf

Thanks. I will check that in the morning and let you know. It is hard to see at night.

Yes, that is my website. I was hoping you had found more sources.

The casting number is just forward of (and under) the fuel pump.

There is a GM 32 on top. Then 3835794. I think this could be correct for 52 or 53. There also is a case number on the intake manifold. It is 3835627.

Any thoughts?

The locations of the block and head casting dates are shown on this page.

What about the number cast into the intake manifold? What is it?

3835527 is a 217 manifold from 50-53. Maybe someone else knows manifold casting codes.

3835794 is a 1952 216 block casting code.

When you ask "Any thoughts?", what kind of thoughts are you interested in?

Sorry I was not clear. I am just trying to determine if this is a possible late 1952 engine installed in a 1953 model year truck at the factory, or if the numbers indicate an engine swap. So, what do you think?

anything is "possible" - the factory likely had a supply of engines and their parts on hand at any time to keep ahead of months of all vehicle production, might be that there wasn't a single 53 truck made with a 53 coded engine until near the end of the run - count on it being the original engine - you'd more likely have a 'swarp' if it was a newer than 53 engine code

Bill

Ah, good point.

We are still waiting for you to post your block casting date.
It should be on the same side as your block casting number.

3835794
Trucks 1952-53
Passenger 1952

Again, the block date code will look something like
K 3 52 or B 8 53.

Don't see any other castings. Will look again tommorow.

The casting date will be located near the starter.

Sorry - tried scraper, wire brush - saw no cast numbers near starter. Look at pix posted of where they should be. Not there.

Not there.