VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1940 Chevy Technical Info needed

A member of the VCCA has just purchased a 1940 4 door sedan from Alberta, Canada. He lives in the USA and he is trying to identify the running gear and the paint code. He states that his Paint Code is #44. For 1940 in the good ole USA, the Paint codes were 3 digits, not 2. He also says that the Engine Block is Cast # 839253.
I have looked in a 1929-42 booklet and a 1937-1946 Canadian Parts catalogue and I have not found any information.

Help !

dtm

The Canadian paint codes I've seen have been 3 digits. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get a corresponding paint chip set for Canadian models that match color to the code number. The codes are different from the US models but often similar colors werre used.

The casting number 839253 appears to be a Canadian 1940-1945 Block (info I have from David Hayward). I have a unique Canadian only casting # on my 1938 216. Apparently GM Canada had 2 engine plants. The one in Oshawa produced casting numbers the same as the US. The one in the Windsor area (Walkerton maybe?) used a different casting number.

The Canadian engines have the stamped engine serial# number recorded on the firewall tag as well so have him check there to see if the number on the tag matches the stamping on the engine.

What is the block casting date?

the toolman, I am the VCCA member who bought the 1940 Chevy from AB, Canada, and would like to thank you for posting the request on the Chat Group. I have been busy trying to title this car and find information on it, and need to find time to make a closer inspection to I.D. the engine. I have been a member of the VCCA for many years, and have two other 40 Chevies under restoration. Today is my first day joining the Chat Group and am learning my way around. Eventually, I will post a picture of this car. It's a pleasure to find people so willing to help.

johns40chevy
Vcca # 06261

Canadiantim, It appears that you can see my response to the toolman. If so, please allow me to thank you as well. Would you know if there is another location for the engine serial #? It is stamped on the VIN plate, but I cannot find it on the engine block boss next to the distributor. I intend to clean the block a little more to find the date code.

johns40chevy
VCCA # 06261

Hi,

There are 2 places the stamped engine number will be. It should be on that machined pad by the distributor. It will also be under the engine side cover that covers the push rods. If you take the engine side cover off, the number is stamped on the lower gasket surface about 2" from the front of the engine.

I believe that replacement engines or blocks were available with blank stamping pads with the intent being that the installing mechanic would stamp the original engine's number on the new block. I suspect this step was omitted on occasion so the pad ended up blank.

The grime can certainly hide details...

Hello johns40chevy: I am glad that you are on Chevy Chatter. Hopefully we can figure out the information that you need. To see a picture of my 1940 Chevy go to my website. I have owned it for 41 years and it is in Preservation Class.

www.1940chevrolet.com

dtm

Hi, Thank you for the quick response. I will have to wait to pull the side cover until I can get the car into the garage, but I will check that location.

Hi, Your coupe looks excellent! I can't quite make out if it is a Special Deluxe or Master Deluxe. I have two 40's currently under restoration, and one is a Master Deluxe 5-pass. coupe. The other is a 40 Master 85 4-dr. I have a third 40 Master85 coupe, and now the 40 Special Deluxe 4-dr from Canada. When I get a little more organized, I will post a pic of the Canadian car. Are you from Illinois, as you mentioned Itasca in your pic.. I live about 35 miles SW of Cicago, and way south of Itasca.

John

I have a 1940 Master Deluxe Business Coupe. I received my First Junior at the VCCA Central Meet in Itasca, Illinois in 2000. I drove it last year to the VCCA Six Cylinder Tour held in Galena, Illinois. I drove it home in 1 day which was a total of 500+ miles. It ran great. I live in Ohio.

dtm
ps. I have a list of tons of Chevrolet parts for sale on my website. Just go to my homepage and click on Parts For Sale.