VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Do my numbers match?

Does anyone have a good link or a definite way for me to tell if my motor is original to my car? I have checked the numbers and as far as I can tell the car was made in one place while the motor was made in another. I’m not sure if there are exact numbers that should correspond from the motor to the body or not. If anyone can help me decipher this it would be greatly appreciated.

Go here, this might help you:

http://www.inliners.org/

The engines were made in two engine plants - from there they were shipped out to many car assembly plants.The numbers will not jive.Post the stamped engine number behind the distributor and the serial number and see what gives.

Ok thanks, I'm at work now but I’ll put it up this evening when I get home. You guys are very helpful. Thanks!

Ok, the number on the door jam is C54K014727.
The number on the engine is 0190228 F54Z.
Style number 54-1069WD
Body number K 3178
Trim number 311
Paint number 551

I have no idea what some of these numbers mean. I didn’t see a corresponding number match between body and motor so does this mean that it’s not the original engine?

C= BelAir
54=year
K=asembled in Kansas City
014727= asembly sequence number.Number began a 1001.So would have been the 13726th car assembled in KS.Would guess it was probably assembled around March.

0190228 engine number=1954 numbers ran from 01001 thru 1024930 -engine seems to be early in the run.F= engine made in Flint,54 the year and Z=115 HP stick shift engine.Probably about about March also.

Style 54=year,1069WD= BelAir 4 door,Body #-K=body made at KS Fisher Body plant-number is sequence number..Trim 311 is interior color,Paint 551 is exterior,Fiesta Cream solid color-not a common 1954 color.The 311 interior is dark green cloth and lighter green imatation leather.The rear fender insert would have been painted Bermuda Green.

There will be no match between body and engine numbers.My guess is that it is the original engine.Few 1954's had engines replaced.Most engines lasted the life of the car with perhaps a valve job or a motor overhaul

Chev Nut, thanks for your help! I would have never been able to figure that stuff out. You mentioned the car was Fiesta Cream with green. My car is solid green with white top and insert. It looks as if it’s always been green. The jams match the rest of the body and all looks to be original. I suppose it could have been repainted but it seems a bit odd that the paint would look so old. I know the previous owner rebuilt the motor and re did the entire doghouse while he was at it. The front has newer paint than the rest but its still all green.

http://studenthome.nku.edu/~doerrk/mychevy.jpg

Thanks again!

Did a recheck on paint #551.Its available on a convertible only.

Paint #541 has a Surf (light green) bottom and an Ivory top.

Paint #542 is Bermuda Green bottom (medium/dark) and a biege top.

Either combination has a Bermuda green dash and steering wheel.

Thank you! I really appreciate the Intel.