Engine: flathead engine number

[spit6]

I am looking at buying a 63 Champ, but it has a flathead six in it. Owner sent me the number 529278 and said it was stamped on top of the engine, I am assuming he means the head. I am in Maryland and the Truck is in Illinois, anyway of identifying the engine from the number he sent?

[brngarage]

If '63 is correct, it should be an overhead valve 6.

[spit6]

yes, that is what I was able to determine from the VIN, 170 OHC 6 with 3 speed with OD, the 3 speed with OD is still in the truck, trying to ID the source of the Stude flathead. From other sources it looks like the number he sent me may be a part number.

Any pointers on where to look for an engine number...

[Greenstude]

On a flat-head 6-cylinder engine, the number should be stamped on the left side of the engine, at the front, just below the head. If you see the letter "I". that is actually the number "1". If, instead of a number, there is a clover leaf, then it is a replacement factory-built engine. Flat head engines were last installed in new vehicles in the 1960 model year.

An embossed number on top of the engine is the casting number of the head.

[Dwain G.]

Six cylinder heads are one of the rare instances where the casting number is also the part number. This head was used from 1950 through 1954. It was also a sub for the head that preceded it. That doesn't positively identify the engine though.

[StudeRich]

I would get the seller to photo the Serial Number Plate on the door latch Pillar or read it to you.

The reason we are asking for more info, is that IF this is really a 5E-5 1960 Champ, it would have a 170 Flathead Six. A 6E, 7E or 8E 1961, '62 or '63/'64 could have the OHV Six.

[spit6]

Thanks for the great info, I will get a photo of the serial number plate. Back story from the seller is he bought the truck from a person in Texas, and the flathead was in it when he bought the truck and thought it was original to the truck. will also ask for him to look for the engine number on the front of the engine.

[skyway]

Is this truck white?
There was a Champ PU that color on EBay some years ago (in the Southwest I think?), that had a Commander flathead in it.

[altair]

The 529278 is the casting number and on the boss at the front left side is the engine number.

[Dwain G.]

Wish that engine number photo had been sharper, but it appears to start with a letter 'C' which would make it a 1952 Canadian car engine.

I just realized the engine shown is not the engine in question.

[StudeRich]

It is a Canadian Champion Engine C41401.
Everything in the background of the Pic is upside down, but the good news is the Block with a Head laying almost on it, is right side up!

Yes it is only an example.

[spit6]

no news from the seller, don't know if it was ever white, this is the truck. http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...56#post1086456

Any down side to the flathead?

[StudeRich]

Nothing wrong with the "170" or "185" Champion Flathead as long as you don't plan on heavy loads, getting going Fast or a lot of high speed cruising without Overdrive or a speed friendly Car Axle Ratio.

Just don't race any Honda's at a stoplight!

[altair]

Yes Richard this is only an example, they are two separate engines one is upright the other is resting on its head and the camera was upside down so the numbers would be right side up. tricky.

[Kurt]

This truck has been floating around on Illinois Craigslist for a few months. It is a later truck with an earlier flathead transplanted in it. It has the later suspended pedals. I have not seen the serial plate. As others have said, that will tell the story.