C8A HUM s/n 3844536691 1944

[Phil Waterman]

Here is a web site that I've found useful in sorting out Chevy 6's these engines because of their long life and interchangeability are often a mix of years before you even start working on them.

http://aera.org/techtools.aspx is a site for checking casting numbers there are also some other good casting number sites. One of the first things I do is check all the major casting numbers to see if the engine is a unit of all the parts atleast coming from the same year.

[Shayne]

The problem with having a truck engine is that none of the generic sites seem to have any information. I do know both the block and head are 1953:

The head, cast 3701887, nets me this:
"GM No Model 3.9 235 49-62 L 6 Head 3701887 1953, W/MANUAL TRANS, Chevrole"
The stamped number behind the distributor is XC70817 while the number below the 'GM' on the front right of the block is 5843351. Although any search I have attempted comes up empty according to information from Mr. Hayward this does indicate a 1953 block. I trust his information as the XC prefix does indicate the heavy duty truck engine.

What is a good place to source parts for these? Little things like the valve cover grommets, thermostat, an oil cap/cover/breather in anything but chrome... I bought a chome part and sandblasted it then painted it!