VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum Old Chev 4 cyl engine found

Folks;
I have just joined the forum, and though I've owned a lot of GM cars over many years, I've not owned a Chev, but my wife has! I hope you fine folks won't hold that against me.
Another person suggested that I come to you folks here, as there are people with a high degree of knowledge.
The primary reason I joined as we are cleaning up a farm which has been in the family since the 19th Century, and this old engine was brought to me attention.
Some other folks have suggested it's a 26-28 vintage. We are in Canada, and Chevies had been built here for several years by the mid or late 20's.
If it were indeed a '28 it would make it a rather late 4 cyl.

The story as I was told, was that it was brought to the farm in the 60's and had been converted to a rail tack service cart. No one is quite sure what the gent, who has no long passed intended to do with it. There was more of the car there at the time, but no one seems to know what happened to the rest of it. Nothing else seems to remain except for the parts of the frame rails.
Unfortunately, it seems as though it has been out in the open ever since, and we do have severe winters here, so it may not even by rebuildable, but it will be coming up for grabs in the near future.
Thank you very much.
Keith

For some reason it seems as though the pictures didn't work properly, they aren't large files, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
Keith

Hi Keith,

Welcome to the VCCA forums!

I suspect that the actual web address (URL) of the photo was not copied into the link properly.

For example, here is the code for inserting an image and below is the image itself


BTW, this photo is my 1928 engine that is in my '27 one ton truck, Lurch.

Cheers,Dean

If it was a 29 six I'd be on my way over to get it now. Still a nice find and you never know what can be rebuilt.

If it was a 29 six I'd be on my way over to get it now. Still a nice find and you never know what can be rebuilt.

[img]https://imgur.com/OHFn7n1[/img]
[img]https://imgur.com/1OCilJK[/img]
[img]https://imgur.com/rLel9iU[/img]
[img]https://imgur.com/ArAvA45[/img]

Here is another try at posting links to the pictures of the engine.
Keith

That is a 1928 block with a 1927 head. I would suppose that the iron worms have already taken their toll.

I have a different take on the numbers than AntiqueMechanic's in his post above.

The cast date on the block (F 27 8) does indicate that it was cast on June 27, 1928. However, according to past discussions, the block number (846709) is for 1926 or 1927. This seems correct to me because the distributor is in the middle of the block and the block does not have the raised rails for the 1928 push rod covers.

Again, based on previous discussions on these forums, the head part number, 407, indicates that it is for an early Model H or Model 490. Maybe 1914 - 1919.

Still, a cool find. Dean

Dean,

I would agree with you about it being a 27 block or earlier since that the block dose not have the bolt holes for the push rod shields. What is intriguing me the most is the serial number stamped into the block I don't see them or I'm just not looking hard enough.

I suspect that the flat spot where the serial number would be stamped is directly to the left of the distributor. See the attached pic. I circled the area.

Keith, you'll probably need to take a wire brush to that flat spot in order to see the characters stamped into the steel. They might have a letter in the front with seven numbers following it. If you find it, we can give you more info.

Cheers, Dean

I just caught the fact that the engine is a MASON. I remove myself from all further discussion.

I have no idea what this might mean?

Also, thanks to All for your replies. The consensus seems to be though the head was changed at some point to an earlier one, likely simply because one was available and better than what was on it at the time.

I will try to clean that area to find some additional info.
Keith

I think that Ray was referring to the fact that the head is a MASON head. There must be some interesting history about that configuration.

Arthur Mason has been given credit for designing the first Chevrolet 4 cylinder engine that was introduced in 1913.

How can you tell?

In the photo of the casting markings on the head, it says MASON. ;-)

[img]https://imgur.com/ArAvA45[/img]

Cheers, Dean

If it was a 1928 block, would it have the 2 bolts on the side of the block to mold the side covers?