Engine ID number question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Glenn A · 09-26-2013, 03:43 PM

Hi...I see all kinds of charts on engine ID based upon casting numbers but I have an engine...straight 6...in my 53 AD....#0042989T54P and I can't figure it out with certanty. Can anyone help me? I imagine the 42989 is the unit number, Im guessing the "T" is for the Tonowanda NY plant, 54 is the year (?) and I have no idea what the P stands for. Pickup? Passenger? Powerglide? Please help !! tnx...Glenn

mr48chev · 09-26-2013, 06:05 PM

Here is the same info that most anyone on here is going to look up to check your engine numbers on.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/engine.htm

It sounds like someone might have swapped a 54 235 into it at one time which was a lot more common than most guys think. Your truck was several years old and the engine gave out and the wrecking yard had a 54 Sedan with low miles that was hit in the side that you could buy the engine out of for a real reasonable price and have the truck back on the road in a day's time.

I'm thinking that the big difference if the engine came out of a car with a powerglide is that it will have had hydraulic lifters.

Some early 53 engines had the dipper rods while the later 53's had full pressure oiling.

By the way, didn't you ask the same question on the HAMB about a week ago?

dwcsr · 09-26-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn A

Hi...I see all kinds of charts on engine ID based upon casting numbers but I have an engine...straight 6...in my 53 AD....#0042989T54P and I can't figure it out with certanty. Can anyone help me? I imagine the 42989 is the unit number, Im guessing the "T" is for the Tonowanda NY plant, 54 is the year (?) and I have no idea what the P stands for. Pickup? Passenger? Powerglide? Please help !! tnx...Glenn

Powerglide. You have a car 235 with hydraulic lifters and had a PG trans on it

OrrieG · 09-26-2013, 07:55 PM

Common swap, my truck came with a 58 car 235.

Glenn A · 09-26-2013, 08:03 PM

Thank you both for your replies....no I didnt ask this Question on the HAMB site. I went back 6 pages and only got back to this morning so I gave up trying to find it, LOL. Not a member there so cannot post. I read the chart on the link Mr48 posted and i read a 54 powerglide should have a "y" designation? Just trying to figure it out...the truck is a mutt I bought for the bed in 1987 that I'm just getting back to: long story about a wife...a house...two kids...now in college....mid-life crisis etc etc.....spin ahead 26years and I'm relearning everything...and finally back working on it and the 1950 I bought the bed for.....appreciate the help !!!!

dwcsr · 09-26-2013, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwcsr

Powerglide. You have a car 235 with hydraulic lifters and had a PG trans on it

Its not a 235 car with PG its a 54 truck. Sorry for the confusion

09-26-2013, 03:43 PM	#1
Glenn A Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NY Posts: 4	Engine ID number question Hi...I see all kinds of charts on engine ID based upon casting numbers but I have an engine...straight 6...in my 53 AD....#0042989T54P and I can't figure it out with certanty. Can anyone help me? I imagine the 42989 is the unit number, Im guessing the "T" is for the Tonowanda NY plant, 54 is the year (?) and I have no idea what the P stands for. Pickup? Passenger? Powerglide? Please help !! tnx...Glenn

09-26-2013, 06:05 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,389	Re: Engine ID number question Here is the same info that most anyone on here is going to look up to check your engine numbers on. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/engine.htm It sounds like someone might have swapped a 54 235 into it at one time which was a lot more common than most guys think. Your truck was several years old and the engine gave out and the wrecking yard had a 54 Sedan with low miles that was hit in the side that you could buy the engine out of for a real reasonable price and have the truck back on the road in a day's time. I'm thinking that the big difference if the engine came out of a car with a powerglide is that it will have had hydraulic lifters. Some early 53 engines had the dipper rods while the later 53's had full pressure oiling. By the way, didn't you ask the same question on the HAMB about a week ago? __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

09-26-2013, 07:55 PM	#4
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Engine ID number question Common swap, my truck came with a 58 car 235. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

09-26-2013, 08:03 PM	#5
Glenn A Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NY Posts: 4	Re: Engine ID number question Thank you both for your replies....no I didnt ask this Question on the HAMB site. I went back 6 pages and only got back to this morning so I gave up trying to find it, LOL. Not a member there so cannot post. I read the chart on the link Mr48 posted and i read a 54 powerglide should have a "y" designation? Just trying to figure it out...the truck is a mutt I bought for the bed in 1987 that I'm just getting back to: long story about a wife...a house...two kids...now in college....mid-life crisis etc etc.....spin ahead 26years and I'm relearning everything...and finally back working on it and the 1950 I bought the bed for.....appreciate the help !!!!



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