Technical Help With ID of Engine From Picture I have.

I know the motor isn’t original as VIN says it’s a 6 cylinder.

I have been reading online and trying to ID this motor. Reading engine ID on Vanpelt sales isn’t helping me. I think I’m too much of a novice or this motor is a mix master. If you can ID it can you tell me why so I can understand?

It has studs and nuts so it shouldn’t be 48-53,
Heads with water outlets on the top front is 49-53
Distributor on side of motor not front 49-53

One page I was reading as a reference

https://rodandstyle.com/blogs/rod-and-style-tech/difference-between-8ba-and-59ab-fatheads

 

It is '48 -'53 despite the head studs. Others can probably identify the water pumps to give better definition.

 

Thank You, as I’ve been studying that picture, the mechanical fuel pump has been removed? Must have an electric somewhere?

 

Unless you’re from Canada, it’s a 49-53.

Some things have been messed with, such as the missing road draft tube, the changed rear breather (which should actually not breathe but only mount the pump), and the missing head bolts. Probably more changes hidden too.

 

Is that the bright new bolt up front by generator ? Now that you mention it, I’ll be adding a vent to air cleaner so that will help. Maybe a PCV valve kit. With how old she is I won’t be surprised what I learn along the way.

 

How does she run?

 

Supposed to run good, I haven’t driven it yet. I’m going to look at it Tuesday. Owner tells me it idles smooth at 600RPM and you could set a nickel on fender and it wouldn’t move.

 

What we all look for and try to avoid is a cracked block. Pretty obvious signs, usually. This one here sounds like a good engine with a few personal touches on it.

 

The oil filter is held on by its own bolts, not the head bolts, which means it's not a '49. The 3 bolt carb says it's not a Merc.

After this many years, just about everything could be changed, so the only way to be sure is to take it apart for a detailed look.

 

zoomed in a bit on the area, here is a bit better view of the filter. Who knows what the oil filter is from. That will be part of the adventure if I bring her home.

 

With the benefit of the larger pictures, I can see that I was wrong. The oil filter is attached to the head bolts with an intermediate bracket, which indicates a '49. Also, it looks like it has wide fan belts, which confirm this. The old eyes don't work so good late at night.

 

Wide belts are from a pickup, which have the wide mounting feet on the pumps. And it’s in a pickup, so that makes sense.

 

Contacted the owner, looking at pictures it only has one aftermarket temp gauge in drivers head. Bought a second one just in case I take her home.

Would like to figure out temp sending units in heads also. Would really settle for an idiot light to get my attention just in case. I don’t care for aftermarket look of gauge panels. Have an old unit I’m going to try to retrofit newer gauges into.