VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 S/N on Block

In addition to the serial number (S/N) located on the passenger side of the block just to the rear of the distributor on a machined boss (stock 216 engine for 1938) on my 1938 Chevy Master Deluxe, there is also the same number stamped on the front portion of the gasket area of the pushrod side cover. This second number runs vertically since the gasket area there is not very wide. This second number gets covered when side cover is installed. Was this the practice by GM at that time and for which years did they do it? Let me hear from you 37-53 owners of 216 stock engines? [Note: In 1937 the boss for the S/N was located just to the rear of the fuel pump] Mike

I have seen the engine number stamped behind the side cover gasket on a large number of the earlier blocks....but I can not remember if all had this.

on a 37 block the serial number is to the right, or in front of the fuel pump. directly above it and under the side cover the serial number is also stamped horizontally.

also, on a half ton pickup, the visible serial number begins with a K, but there is no K stamped with the number under the side cover.

does anyone know what difference, if any, there is between a pickup engin and a car? haven't noticed a difference yet.

The trucks had a "restrictor plate" under the carburetor. It was a metal cone built into the insulator. Other than that the engines were the same. It reduced the horse power at higher RPM to discourage over reving the engie thepru the gears. The engine was advertised as having 78 HP rather than 85.
The 1937 blocks were the only 216 to have the serial number in that location.

thanks gene. i knew i had read something about that insulator or restrictor before! can you direct me to where that info is printed?

1937 Engineering Features or parts book.Chevrolet describe it as the engine being "internally governed"...Parts book described it as cone shaped sleve. Cars had a cylinder shaped sleve. The modern replacement that Chevrolet made (and is available from vendors today) is the Rochester carb. type and has no sleve and works well. If I had a truck I would remove it as you are not driving it fully loaded up long grades and over winding it in 2nd gear. It was used to prevent drivers from overspeeding the engine and forced them to up-shift sooner.

My page gives you prefixes and applications:
http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/chevytalk/GMhistory/1935to1937motors.html

Basically "K" stood for "Kommercial", whereas heavier truck engines had "T". If you need Canadian numbers, ask!