VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 216 Head Questions

1941 Master Deluxe, 216. The number on the block indicates it is from 1941, same as the car.

When we took the valve cover off to replace the gasket and adjust the valves we found this set of numbers and were wondering what they meant: GM 8394015. Since the dates on most everything else appear to be from 1941 we were wondering if the head was too.

Also we suspect the head has been of due to the age of the car and the fact that there are different markings on the head bolts. One is marked HC, another has letters and numbers on it etc. Unfortunately I did not write down what each of these where before the valve cover was reinstalled.

Since the car is running this is mostly looking for answers to what we noticed than anything else.

839401 is the casting number of a 1941-1948 head.

839400 is the castig number of a 1941 216 block.

Well that is good news. Then likely this head is the same age as the car.

https://www.gregwapling.com/hotrod/chevrolet/1916-57cast.html

I think Gene means head instead of engine.

Thamk You
Corection mae,

I find it amazing that after this many years a car like this is still together.

t probably wasn't but the casting number 839401 head was sold in the 1950's.
After it was discontinued it was replaced by the 1949 and up head (hich had the larger 14MM spark plugs). and has a different casting number.