ive looked on the index, and cant find anything that matches the numbers. im looking to buy this motor the guy says its a 57' 392. if someone could id this for me it would be greatly appreciated numbers are 1873729 k125 thanks
http://www.hothemiheads.com/hemi_info/hemi_engine_id.html I'm not an expert, but those numbers don't seem correct for any hemi, particularly not a 392. The numbers to check will be on the top valley pan area, stamped into the machined surface at the front. could maybe be an industrial or marine block, but then it would be extremely unlikely to be a 392 as it seems the common accepted understanding is they never made either of those as 392's.
Well, if that "8" is actually a 6, and it very well could be, that first number listed is the casting # for all 392 blocks-1673729. The second number then is probably a casting # also, I have one with L289 on it, probably part of a date code. Typically though, hemi's are ID'd by the stamped number on the front rail that goes between the valley cover and the water pump and not the casting number on the block (although the casting number is also located just off the lifter valley cover, but its on the side).
So, another number issue mystery. Like Bryan suggests, you need to verify the casting number...6 vs 8... The other number would appear to be the date code, K = October ('I' was not used), 12 = 12th day, and the 6 = 1956 which of course does NOT equal a 392, and if the 6 was really an 8 it would be extremely late in the year as the '59 models were in the showrooms. Highly unlikely at best, but never say 'never' with anything Mopar. Bryan, is your L289 block a 1673729 casting? With such a date code it must be a truck block but there is no evidence that Mopar ever used a 392 in a truck. This could be fun......oh, pics are required.... .
Saw posted somewhere(HAMB?) a '56(concept car?) that had a factory 392 in it. How big a lead did they need & were they still introducing cars @ the end of calender year or earlier in the late 50s?
Been pondering on this for awhile...and perhaps an October cast date would be ok for a very early 392. I don't think they were geared up as far in advance as in later years with cars hitting the showrooms but component production would likely have been under way. If the casting number checks out then it should be as claimed. .
Ok, let's see if this helps. My block (not the OP's) is actually a 392, 1673729, with a L286 date code (sorry about the 289 thing, was working from memory). And just to clear things up, here's a picture that should help everyone. Its my 392 block, but I've labeled the casting #, date code, and serial # for clarification. Maybe the OP can use it to get a good ID on his block. The decode on this block should look like this- CE577513 is a '57 392. The 1673729 casting is the 392 casting number, and the L286 should come back as the 8th day of November, 1956 casting date, correct? As for number mysteries, I have a few now. A strange 392 with a massive bore and a non-factory serial #, a couple of '55 301's with a casting # I haven't seen on the 'net and W's on the block. This is what happens when you buy a bunch of blocks from an old drag racer. Gary, I'm going to take pictures of my 301 "W" blocks and send them to you. Scooter, if you want in I can send them to you too. Probably won't get to the bottom of things until I do a sonic check though. Anyway, sorry to hijack the post a little there. Maybe the picture will help the OP clear things up. And Scooter, if you want to use the picture for the Hemi Tech ID pages, feel free to.
Indeed! copy me on that info! I would like that! And that pictures is GREAT to add to the ID Tech!! Perfect! Thank you! One day, someone is going to tell me what the 'W' stands for on a block with a 'W'. At one point I thought it was for Windsor (as a semi-logical guess), but it's found on a lot of Truck and Industrial blocks as it turns out. Would be cool to see this done with every block in the Early Hemi series (Chysler, Dodge, DeSoto, etc.) showing all the identifiable markings, what they mean, and any bizarre block features. There's a few on the next, but nothing REALLY in-depth by people with REAL knowledge of what each block had, when it changed, and why.
Not sure that any of the real 'knowledgeable' people are still alive... I continue to collect as much info as I can on these things and am trying to show as much as I can on my web site, but I am not as compoooter savy as most 9 year olds so I it is a hard slog......maybe eventually. Gary
With the exception of late intros for some new models (redesigns) the next year model year's cars have been brought to market from mid September to early October for decades, stretching back into at least the Model A days. Accordingly, the casting date for a 392 could easily be into mid 1956 (June/July for example) in order to have components ready for production assembly and into cars by late August. There has to be consideraly 'lead time' to get the parts made, the cars assembled in sufficient numbers and then shipped to dealers for the intro date. The exceptions I referred to would be exemplified by '49 Plymouths (ripple bumper models) not coming to market until March or April of '49 and likewise for 2nd design '55 Chev/GMC trucks. But those ARE exceptions to the norm. Ray
for what it's worth. . .the 28th of November would be correct for a '57 model, as production would have been well underway by then. I have a 354 from a '56 Imperial that was cast on August 1 of 1955 and a 331 from a '55 Imperial with a casting date of February 18, 1955
@ least in 46, 47 & 48 the model year procuction ran till the end of December. The actual '49 designs were late getting done, so the '48 design was produced as '49s for a while.
whats the number punched in the top front of the block right in front of where the valley pan sits? i can tell you exactly what motor you have. if its out of a 57 imperial the number where i said will be ce57-10##
Really now...Well, I'm sure Bryan would appreciate tapping into your vast knowledge to sort this one out... .
Here is some good info on early Hemi's. Has pictures as well. <O</O Chrysler Hemi ID - Page 1<O</O http://www.earlyhemiengineparts.com/showpage.cfm?catid=1775 <O</O Chrysler Hemi ID - Page 2 <O</O http://www.earlyhemiengineparts.com/showpage.cfm?catid=1776<O</O <O</O
I don't have my block here to take a picture of as its being used for mock up of a topolino altered. The block is a 53 331 i think, as it is one of the first without the block bell housing. I have asked around and no one can tell me why it has no numbers stamped in the machined surface by the valley pan. Could this be a factory replacement block? Did they make such a thing?
Not only are those numbers off the charts, but they are upside down as well. Maybe somebody was hitting the bottle a little early that day at the factory. Look at scooter's post above. I think most numbers I have seen (again, not an expert by any means) are right side up when viewing from the front of the block.
If it doesn't have the extended bell, its probably a '54 331. '51-'53 were the extended bells. As far as not having any serial numbers stamped in it, it could be a replacement block. It could also be an industrial block. They had a tag on the engine with the serial #, but no serial stamped into the rail. Like this... Close up of the tag. See if your block has the little "nails" in it back where this tag is. But it could be a warranty block too.... Dude. I didn't even pick up on that, the numbers ARE upside down. At least, compared to all the other Hemi's I have laying around. I'm pretty sure its not a factory stamping at this point though. Maybe a dealer, speed shop or machinist. I'm waiting to see if the previous owner can get me some more info on its origin.
I had a 354 also and it was an industial engine. That engine still had the tag on it. My 331 doesn't have the nails, i checked for that. I guess it was a replacement block, or could it have been an industrial that never had a tag?
My IND 24 is stamped on the pad. TR Waters posted pics on an engine with use code stamped on the front of the block below one bank, think to the right of the timing cover. 1 of my blocks has randon numbers & letters scatter stamped there.
The only blocks that I have seen without a stamped rail were the 'over-the-counter' replacements. You could buy blocks, short-blocks or engine assemblies. I have an old price list in one of my part manuals, I'll scan it later and post it. Industrial stamps should look like this: As for the 'tags' I have seen Industrials with and without, but all Marines I have seen had a tag. No way to know if there was a protocol. .
Yeah, they are called "drive rivets" and are intended for pre-drilled holes. Typically, the shank has a twisted spline, not smooth, so it 'bites' into the sides of the hole and is retained. Ray
I'll throw one at ya' then... We just got rid of a 331 marine block that didn't have a tag and was stamped. I think it was a '55. Maybe a '54.
The Jalopy Journal
