VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 engine number

I have a 1937 Chevy but I think the engine might be newer . The engine number is behind the distributor , not near the fuel pump . The number is VO2676 30 . When I was looking for a vacuum advance I found the distributor numbers were for a 49-50 engine . I can't decipher the engine numbers in the Motor's manual . Any help is appreciated .

That number does not fall into any engine number.
If it is a 1949 engine it will have a casting number on the right lower side near the distributor. 3835253 will be large raised numbers.
If a 1950-1951 216 the numbers will be 3835495 and the will be a large circle with a 50 in the center behind the fuel pump.
If a 235 different numbers that I can translate.

Well I have cleaned all around the fuel pump and distributor and can not find any other numbers in the casting . The only thing I can find are the numbers right behind the distributor which are stamped into the flat area . The numbers are not straight in-line . Sort of wobbly when stamped . You can tell it was done by hand .Any help or advice will be appreciated .

You could try the head casting number. It is under the valve cover-left side . Will begin with a 3 and have 7 numbers.
The block casting number on later blocks is behind the starter.

Does the starter come out to see it or is it visible without removing the starter ?

The starter must be removed.
This would be for a later 235 engine with the low side cover Side coveronly about 6inches tall

My side cover is a big thing so I guess it is not a 235 motor . I tried looking behind the starter ( without removing it ) and can't see any evidence of numbers in the casting . I know it is a Chevy motor , I just have to figure out the numbers I have .
I thank everyone for your input on this . If anyone finds more info , please let me know .
Michael

Do you have photos of the engine?

I'll try . That is my wife will try to get pictures posted .

I removed the starter today to check condition and clean . I saw some numbers behind it which are CON4 D 11 7 . Do these numbers tell any stories on the year ? I checked the Delco numbers on the starter and it looks proper for the 37 .

D = engine built in April
11 = day of month
7 = year. Could be 1937 or 1947.
A 1937 engine will have a raised number pad to the rear of the fuel pump - about 2 or 3 inches long. Scrape of the rust or paint and post the number.
A 1947 has the engine number stamped into the horizontal shelf to the rear of the distributor.
A 1937 engine will have a casting number of 838101 - Large raised numbers down below the distributor and dip stick......look again.

The casting number and engine number are two different things. The casting number is raised numbers and the engine number stamped into the casting.

I went through this with my first 38. The casting number was where Gene described it. However the contour of the block has like a ledge that blocks it from view with the inner fender and all in the way. If you use a mirror and look nearer the bottom of the block, you will see it.

I always thought the '37 and '38 were the same basic engine. I guess not, the engine number on my '38 is behind the distributor.

The changing of the engine serial number location is one of the major changes in block appearence. Also the method of boltig the vacuum advance to theblock is different.

Note only the 1937-1938 and 1939 216 engines had the external oil distribtor on the center left side of the block. If the engine in question is a 1947 the oil distriutor is internal and a little stamped steel plate held on by three screws will be on the left lower side of the block.

The 1937-8-9 oil distributor looks like a little brake wheel cylinder bolted to the block.

O.K. looking at everything mentioned , I see the stamped number VA267630 on the flat BOSS behind the distributor . The raised letters GM cast in the block in front of the fuel pump . No other numbers or letters can be found . Yet . there is the stamped metal plate held on by three screws in the center on the left side . Does all this mean I have a 47 engine in my 37 ? If I do , I don't mind it . Just need to know what I have so I can get the correct parts in the future . I know I have a 49 or 50 distributor ( according to MOTORS MANUAL ) .

I find NO 1941-1950 engines that had a VA in the engine serial number.
If the head is from a 1941-1948 it will have the little 8 MM spark plugs. 1949 and up the larger usual 14 MM thread size plugs.
It may be a rebuilt 1947 block and could have any 1937-1953 216 head. That is why you sould get the head casting number. It is under te valve cover on the left side. The bigges tchanges were in the cylinder heads rocker arms, etc. from 1937 and up.

They should be 10 MM spark plugs, not 8 MM.

My brain was thinking of the spark plug AC number of M8.

If you have a Canadian block, the casting number is in a different place.
On the 37 USA block 838101 is a raised casting below the ign distributor and the serial number is stamped by the fuel pump.
If your 37 Chevy has a Holden body, (Not Fisher) 1788201 raised casting number is behind the starter.
The Stamped Serial number is still by the fuel pump.
You'll find a list of 1927 - 1954 casting numbers and a picture of a 1937 block at:
<http://home.znet.com/c1937/Cast.htm>.
There is also a physical description of the different year blocks.
If you threw a rod and bought a new block from GM, it would have no serial stamped on it.
You were supposed to stamp the "Dead" engine's number on the new block as many states registered vehicles by engine number rather than the body serial under right side of hood. (Left side of bonnet in Australia.)
GMC engines have the casting number on the left side under manifold by Oil distributor.

Thank you . I will search the block more for numbers . All the info I have gotten points to the engine being a 47 .