I have two 490 engines (one is just a block and crank). I don't know how to identify the year. They are in north central Oklahoma and could possibly be taken to Chickasha. Ed Emerson
There is a date casting number on the side of the engine block, should look like 8 24 20 , which is month,day,year.
The block and crank assembly is 8 28 19. I could not find a corresponding number on the other engine, but under the water outlet I found a number I couldn't quite read, followed by the number 20, which was followed by the number 3. Below these numbers was what I assume is the serial number of the engine, which is 327778. This engine is still in the frame and seems to be complete, except the starter is missing. Also
I took off the rocker arms when I thought I would use them on another engine. I didn't use them and should be able to find them. Does this engine sound like something you could use? Ed
The #327773 is the block casting number and the head will be # 3277772. Howevere under correction I think that that's a 1921 to 1924 block. The 1918-1920 block was casting # 967 and head # 407, or there won't be a number! Any lettering near the cast numbers will indicate the foundry.
The date quoted of 8 28 19 is for August 28th 1919 so an early 1920 model. The engine # will be found on the stamped pad on the block and on the flywheel. Engine # C60502 had a block cast date of 8 - 13 - 9.
Here is the information from the head. There is J-2-3. below the above number is cast AC. Below the AC is cast 327772. Below that number is cast the number 4. It would appear that this is the original head for this block. The number that I couldn't see before appears to be a 9. which would make a number 9 20 3. Could this be a September 20 1923 casting date?
the valve adjustment is on the rocker arms and there is a replaceable cap that goes between the pushrod and the rocker arm. It appears that the engine had an oil gauge, but not a sight glass like my Monroe has.
I went to Houston, Texas to buy this engine, under the impression that I could use it in my Monroe. It might work in some Monroes , but it didn't seem it would fit my 96" wheelbase roadster very well. Then I found a Monroe parts car in Charleston, South Carolina, so I gave up on using the 490 engine altogether
J - 2 -3 would be October 2nd 1923 and that would more-or-less tie in with the September 20th 1923....but I have never heard of a casting foundry with initials 'AC'. Flint Motor Plant were using 'SPC' = Saginaw Products Company ('cloverleaf' symbol) and 'CWC' = Campbell, Wyant, & Canon Foundry Co., Muskegon we know. Also 'SF' = Standard Foundry and Machinery Co. This could be a replacement casting from an independent company but the dates seem to tie-in very conveniently!
Would it be possible that some other foundry outside the system had made some temporarily deliveries???
In Norway we have examples of temporarily part suppliers adding to the usual sources.
I'm sorry, but your email didn't get to me. I watched for it pretty faithfully, and rechecked everything tonight, It's just not here. If you would like to try again, my address is elemerson@yahoo.com. That should be the what is listed in my profile. I'm afraid I'm one of the people who will never figure out how to post pictures online, so I can't help you there. I work out of town, so it's kind of hard to get things done. But next monday, the 27th, I have a dental appointment so I will be in town. On that day I will have an opportunity to take the block to the mechanic that built my Sterling engine, and have him check it over for the suitability of
being rebuilt. That way we will have a better idea of what we are dealing with. Ed
i have a lot of 490 part from 1917- 28 george 406-5432591