VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 The Chevrolet 490

I will guess it is a 1919.

The front fenders with the rear reverse curve, large iron angle front running board support, and no head light bar would point to a 1920 model 490. The cylinder head date is late 1919 , but would still probably make this an early production 1920 model.There should be some casting dates on the side of the engine block also, and a serial number stamped into the outside circumference of the flywheel.

thank you for the great explanation.

stopped by the car again tonight, saw that the main engine # is the same date as head (10/31/19 Halloween car!) and the flywheel date is 11/5/19. did not see serial #. too exhausted at the moment to really investigate more.

we are in process of returning this 490 to the roads, as it has sat since probably mid 80's at LEAST. formerly from the Milwaukee area, now a bit north of there.

it was rolling down the road tonight, but I doubt that being pulled by a 4 wheeler in an attempt to jumpstart counts. no fuel thru the carb is the probable cause.

I'm not a total stranger to antique cars, had a Model A about 8 years ago, but would appreciate some pointers for when the 490 is running. I know to oil the valves before each trip, but do I have to stop after a certain number of miles to do it again? any tricks I may not know about with the shifting? general pointers?

I don't know what I don't know, I guess. itching to polish this beauty up and can't wait to haul home the trophies

If sometime in the future you need to remove the exhaust manifold, you will also find a serial number stamped into the cylinder head . You cant see it until you remove the manifold.

That number (under the exhaust manifold removed)should match the number stamped on the pad on the engine. If those numbers match it indicated that the head and block left the factory as a pair. My guess is that it was a deterrent to stealing heads. It could be traced.

I have a few people helping me with the missing parts for jungle 1916 490 but haven't seen any bits yet.
Should my early car have 30 x 3.5 BE wheels or 21" split rim?
Many thanks.

A 1916 should have 30 x 3 1/2 tyre on the back , and 30 x 3 inch tyres on the front . BE rims. Non demountable. Matching the front to rear is also OK as 3 inch rims are not very common.
I know it sounds a bit confusing , but 30 x 3/12" tyres are actually 23 Inch diameter.

If you don't have the rims, you can try Snyders . who sell Model t ford rims.

You can try Calimer's wheel shop also.
Here is a link.


http://www.calimerswheelshop.com/

Hey SkinLizzie,

Sending you an email soon.

Pictures from the front, chassis and brake system:(1916 model)

http://s889.photobucket.com/user/solan1916/library/Solanchassis-front?sort=3&page=1

I'm new to the group I just purchased a 1920 490 touring. I haven't seen any numbers of the totals for 490s just at the very beginning of this post. I will post more info on my car after I get the numbers you asked for. From what I understand this car spent 50 years in a museum then another 25 in a dealer ship garage. Then was sold to the guy I got it from about 4-5 years ago. I am trying to get an appointment to see the guy that bought it from the museum to find out what museum.

HI Richardgc , welcome to chevy chatter. Once you find the casting dates and numbers , post them here , and someone will give you the dates.

Good luck with your 1920 490 , sounds like a great car after being in a museum for so long.

If possible post some pictures of the car here. It makes it easier to give you advice.

Good luck with the car.

Richard , the 1920 model will have reverse sweeps on the rear of the front fenders, and the frame will also be the new frame for the 1920 model which has a large steel angle for the front running board brackets instead of the 4 L shaped brackets used up to 1919.

Thanks Jack39rdstr yes it has the reversed sweep and the angle. I have found some of the numbers you guys are looking for.
Serial # 2A51512
Casting #s H4P10 967. 52520

I will try to post some pictures next.

The H4P10 is the casting foundry identification , 967 is the Part Number , and the 52520 is the date stamp May 25th 1920.

There is also casting numbers and dates on the top of the head, another serial number under the exhaust manifold, stamped into the head , and there is a serial number on the outside diameter of the flywheel.

Your car should have a plate mounted on the dash board, like this:

http://s889.photobucket.com/user/so...seiltur-solan029.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

but as this is to a 1916, which did not have any number, I think your plate also will have this text: "WHEN WRITING MENTION MODEL "490", CAR NO.. Thereafter, stamped or printed, the ID number is placed. It should correspond with the number on the edge of the flywheel and at the manifold to be all coming from the same car.

The 1920 model has the serial number under the dash on the lower firewall toe board area, not on the dash.

The plates I have seen (without or with numbers on) have all been mouted on the dash board. Sorry for misleading here, and not my intention, Jack.

Is the number stamped/printed on the plate?

Stamped in number punches

Hi all, I'm looking for 4 tires and 1 wheel for a 1917 490. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

30 x 3 1/2" tyres and tubes are available from Snyders auto parts, as they also are the correct size for a Model t ford.
23" demountable rims are available new, and occasionally turn up on ebay but you have to be patient and keep looking.
You can also place a wanted add in the correct forum further down the page.
Calimer's also manufacture wheels and fit your metal parts with new spokes and felloes.

click on these links.
http://www.calimerswheelshop.com/
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/

Thanks Jack.

Chevrolet changed from non-demountable to demountable rims during 1917 so check your rims. The non-demountable are rare like hens teeth, both to T-F**Ds and to Four-Ninety, so after searching during 2 - 3 years to my 1916 I ordered them at Calimers. And they are nice.

You need the metal for the hubs and bolts/nuts, may be the rim, but the small metal parts are supplied by C. I got hubs both from a friend here and bought some from eBayseller in Canada too.

http://s889.photobucket.com/user/solan1916/library/solanhjul?sort=3&page=1

The Chevrolet was built in Canada by the Chevrolet Motor Company of Canada from 1915 by the McLaughlin Family a malti million dollar Company that built Carrages and had a contract with W Durant for Buick Motors for 15 Years ,starting the GM Holding Company in 1908. The Chevrolet Company became the owners of GM Holding Company in 1916 but McLaughlin merged his two Companies into General Motors of Canada Limited in 1918 to allow his selling off his Chevrolet outstanding stock litting Chevrolet incorporate General Motors in the USA, I would check your car in Canada.