VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Cylinder Head Identification

I recently bought a 1930 engine as a spare and am storing it away. On taking a closer look, the cylinder head is not the normal 1930 head. While it looks virtually identical, and it has the temp gauge port on the left rear upper surface, it has NO Chevrolet casting marks. No Bowtie, no correct casting number, no mold number, no casting date. The only "cast-in" identification on it appears as raised letters in the oil gallery between cylinders 3 and 4. It reads:

C4 - NF

The "N" and the "F" are run together, so that the right side of the "N" is the left side of the "F".

My question is: Has anyone seen something like this before? Were aftermarket heads produced for these engines? Does "NF" stand for something like "National Foundry" or something? Should I trust this head (it seeems to be in good shape and crack free -- the engine was removed due to a wiped center main bearing)?

I'd appreciate any insights anyone can provide.

All the Best, Chip

Hiya!

I know of quite a few foundries that produced castings for US four-cylinder US engines:

Romeo Foundry Co., Port Huron
HF Holmes Foundry Co., Port Huron
HW Hiram Walker & Sons Metal Products, Walkerville
DF Detroit Foundry Co., Detroit
FMP Co Foundry & Machine Products Co., 1-71 Fordyee Avenue, Detroit
SPC Saginaw Products Co., Saginaw
FERRO Ferro Machine & Foundry Co., Cleveland
IF Co Interstate Foundry Co., Cleveland
CWC Campbell, Wyant, & Canon Foundry Co. Muskegon
S Holmes Foundry Company Limited, Point Edward, Sarnia,
Ontario
SF Standard Foundry and Machinery Co.
GL Great Lakes Foundry Co., Port Huron
R Romeo Foundry Company


There was also a Canada Foundry...and probably a whole load more! I know that after 4-cylinder castings had ceased by Saginaw Grey Iron Foundry, another batch of heads was produced in 1932 and then at least two independent companies started their own versions.

As regards the 1930 head, it is very possible that there is a N____ Foundry. Could it be dated to March 1934? What I used to do is find trade directories for the period and under 'foundries' have a look for a National or other one starting with N.

If it is crack-free and it works...well, use it!

Hi Chip
I just sold a cylinder head like this for a 29 Chevy with the same markings on it. I do not know who is was made by but have seen a few aftermarket cylinder heads and sold a cylinder head made by the Wohlert Corp. for a 33 Standard that was new in the box years ago but don't remember what it had for casting numbers if any. I also took in on trade a 29 head that was cracked and has "Industrial Argentina" cast into it so there are replacement head out there. It would be interesting to find out though what these numbers mean.
Regards
Bob@marxparts

Thanks David and Bob.....interesting information and insights from both. Appreciate it.

David -- Say hi to Beaulieu for me! (I lived in Purley for ten years). Good to see you back up on Chevy Chatter II after a long absence.

Anyone else know anything about this head?

All the Best, Chip

Hi Chip! I live a few miles away from Beaulieu though I never go there! I know of Purley, but have never had to go there.

I am a near-12 year veteran Mod of ChevyTalk, as of April!!!

I have a cylinder head now running on a '31 engine that is only identified by the numbers 3 15 31. It is heavier than the stock head, has Buick valves, a different angle of the spark plugs and a different shape in the combustion chamber. We once thought it was made by Case Tractor or by Emerson - Brantingham in Rockford, Illinois but that has never been confirmed.

March 15 1931 casting date?

Probably it's a casting date, numbers are separated 3 15 31 unlike a serial or part number. Does anyone know of a tractor, some kind of farm, stationary or industrial machine that might have used a Chevrolet engine with this mystery cylinder head?

Actually CWC stands for Campbell,Wyant & Cameron.They also did head & block castings for Oldsmobile as well,going by an add I have in a 1928 edition of a Chilton book.

Hey d2d2 -

From my knowledge of Case tractors, there were no 6 cyls built in those days. They only produced 4 cyls (some with 400cid) until the 500 series diesel (6cyl) in the mid 50s. They did produce stationary engs and special units, but they should have Case marked on them somewhere.

Jim.