I have a 1950 Chevy 3100 Thriftmaster 1/2 ton, which is supposed to have a 216. I looked at the Old Car Manual Project web site - http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/engine.htm but couldn't identify the engine serial number. The engine I have has a plate next to the distributorthat says "DR140622CAL", which is different from the serial number layout on the above site site. Is there any other sources engine serial number searches? The other interesting fact, is that everyone, including the old timers, has told me that the 1950 216 has babbitt bearings, which I understand to mean that the bearings are integrated into the piston rods and crankshaft main bearings and are adjusted with shims. When I pulled one of the rod bearing caps off it had a bearing insert. A friend that worked on these engines long ago verified the bearings were inserts. I also under stand that the 1950 216 engine was a light blue color like the engine compartment, but the engine is orange. I'm wondering if the engine is a different year? Like I said above, I'd like to track down this engine serial number
I believe the numbers you may be looking for will be on two places on the engine. Under the valve cover, there will be a number on the head, and on the block distributor side there will be some casting numbers there as well. I know there are several websites for decoders for chevy engines. I also want to say there is a difference between babbits and shims. I understood babbits to be a poured bearing. I know the early chevy 6s had this. I have a 31 and 30 Chevy engine and they are babbitd. The engine could just be painted orange. I think those number locations could get you started to Id on the engine itself. http://www.adchevy.com/tools/castinglookup/
"DR140622CAL" not a GM number The "CAL" in that number is a big red flag indicating it is an "***igned number" by the DMV. Here are a few of the inliners charts for block casting numbers. http://www.inliners.org/becks/BCN2.html http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/chevytalk/GMhistory/1916-57cast.html The original color on the 216 truck motors was grey.
And Federal/Mogul made a insert bearing that was used in a modified poured babbitt rod, not uncommon at all. After 60 years having a original engine in a vehicle would be more unusual than otherwise.
Just went out and found the casting numbers, and then checked them on line: 216 inline head casting #: 1950-53 3835517 All 216 216 inline block casting #: 1952-53 3835849 216 P***enger, Truck Another source for the block casting: 52 AKCA. AKCM, BKCA, BKCM, KAA, KAM, KAC, KAP, KBA, KBM, KCA, KCM, KCD, KCQ 3835849 53 ALCC. ALCP, BLCC, BLCP, LAG, LAT, LAJ, LAV, LBA, LBM, LCA, LCM, LCC, LCP, LCD, LCQ, LCH, LCU 3835849 Makes me think it's a 52/53 engine. Where do the prefix letters come into play? Still baffled by the DR140622CAL serial number.Interesting that it might be some sort of DMV ***igned serial number.
Yes your "DR " number is a asigned ID number. Many years ago many states used both engine and ch***is ID numbers on ***les. So you got a GM new replacement or reman engine you had to go down to the DMV and get it inspected and the ***le corrected. Dad replaced the engine in our 41 Chevy in 51 and down to DMV we went. Most car makers stopped using engine IDs towards the late 50s and states started using just the ch***is ID on ***le.
Thanks John! I'm pretty well convinced that the engine was replaced at some point. The truck was originally purchased by my wife's great grandparents and then given to her grandfather. He used it as his farm truck for a number of years and then p***ed it on to my wife's mother who then gave it to her a couple of years ago. Again, thanks for the info.
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