VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 Engine numbers

On top of the engine, between two valves is stamped a "P". Just under that is stamped "07". Just under that is stamped "11520". Anyone know what that means?? My car is a 1918 Chevrolet 490 Touring!! On the side of the block near the carburetor is stamped "967-4F". Just above that number is stamped "1 28-20". The number that's stamped on the ID tag under the dash is "1A5267". Any information would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks...Craig

P: Foundry Casting Mark for Romeo Foundry Co, Port Huron. Source: a PM of Ken Kaufmann.

7: Kaufmann also lists P1, P2, .... P6. I guess there also was P7.

11 5 20: Casting date November 5 1920

967-4F: Cannot help you, But I am curious too.

1 28 20: Casting date January 28 1920

1A5267: The first number is the Plant Cod. ”1”, means Flint Michigan. Source: Another PM of Ken Kaufmann, from 2002. You can get the PM as pdf on the webb, http://www.gregwapling.com/hotrod/chevrolet/1912-30chevroletproduction.pdf. A5267 is the serial number for a 490 assembled at the Flint Plant. According to Floyd Clymers ”Early Chevrolet history...”, published 1966, that number means that the car is a 1920 model. The serial numbers from Flint Plant this year starts with #92475 an ends with A20160. When a 490-Plant had reached serial number 99999, the serial number on next car started with the letter ”A”, so I guess the car got serial number ”A1”.

So I guess that your 490 is a 1920 model.

Thanks for the response swedechev!! I wonder why the car is titled as a 1918 model? The car seems to be in great condition with 5727 miles on the odometer...but who knows if that's accurate??

My 1918 490 is titled as a 1916. Most states didn't issue titles until the mid 1930s or later. When issued they used various means to identify the year so inaccuracies abound.

As you say, who knows. Or can you exclude that a former owner took the motor and the ID-tag from a 1920 model and put in his 1918?

The frames on 490 up to 1919 differs a little from the frames on 1920-1922. The easiest way to see the difference from outside the car is to compare the front fenders, and look close where the fenders meets boards. Distinct angel versus an S-shaped fender.

See examples on this website Mässing & Nickel (Brass & Nickel). First a 1919, owned by a friend of mine, after that my 1922

That's great information! Looks like I have the S-shaped fenders on my car!!

967 is the casting number on 1918 - 1921 490s. The F may stand for FERRO casting company.
See web page <http://home.znet.com/c1937/Cast.htm> for other years.

Thanks Lou!

Thanks Lou! The engine is stamped "Ferro" on the side!!

The 1920 490 frame has a large crossmember at the front pair of running board brackets, the 1919 and earlier have front and back running board brackets in a similar “L”. Shape.