1956 Engine Number help

[Keith W.]

Eng stamp is
0855207F56GU
Its a double tower block 240

Can someone help me out to de code the above

F = Flint
56 = 1956
GU = 240

What do the other numbers mean , are they dates I've looked in Nolan's book ref 56 engine blocks and none of them link into the vin numbers - as usual any help advice would be good cheers Keith

[David L.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Eng stamp is
0855207F56GU
Its a double tower block 240

Can someone help me out to de code the above

F = Flint
56 = 1956
GU = 240

What do the other numbers mean , are they dates I've looked in Nolan's book ref 56 engine blocks and none of them link into the vin numbers - as usual any help advice would be good cheers Keith

Keith,

Page 11 of my 1957 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Mar. 1957) lists the "ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER AND SUFFIX CHART" for 1956 models.

"08552007" = serial number
"F" = Flint plant
"56" = 1956
"GU" is not listed.
G, GC, GQ, GE, GF, GJ. GK, GL, GM, GN, and GR are listed.
"GR" = Corvette, 8 cyl. w/3-spd. trans.
"FG" = Corvette, 8 cyl. w/Powerglide

Also, my 1960 Heavy Duty Chev. Truck Parts Catalog (Apr. 1960) does not list a "GU" code for 1956 models in the eng. suffix chart.

Dave

[Keith W.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Thanks David - I got the GU from the ncrs corvette spec guide under 1956 page 61
GU = 265 order code 449 = HP 240 RPO 469 engine w\high lift can & 3 speed
Vettes vin is S00398x

[Scott S.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Keith, The 0855207 is an engine sequence number that has no direct relationship with your serial number. You have the remainder of the numbers correct.
Scott

[Keith W.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Thanks Scott - Am familiar with mid year numbers the early ones catch me out - cheers Keith

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Keith,

Remember the 1956 VIN numbers start at 1001 = car #1.

The engine sequence number should closely follow other 1956 VIN numbers engine sequence numbers.

Search this forum for Mike Hunt or Michael Hunt and you'll be able to find the great 56-7 Research articles Mike published in the 80's and 90's on VIN numbers, etc.

Gary
....

[Keith W.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Cheers Gary will do

[Keith W.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Cheers Gary will do

[David L.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Here is a photo of the page from my 1957 Chev. Parts catalog.
Is the parts book incorrect about the serial number?
Dave

[Edward M.]

Re: 1956 Engine Number help

Dave;

I see the comment about the 50th 2100 series having the number 0001050. That MAY be true of 6 cylinder engines (don't know), but I do not believe it is true of V-8 engines. I think this is a typo. I have personally seen the very first V-8, 1955 265 sequence number 0000001. I just don't know for sure about other year engines.