Engine: Engine number

[tony58]

If I am reading the chart right on #PL4547 it is a 289 out of a president?
Thanks

[StudeRich]

It is a '56 President 289 all right, but it could be out of a President or a Sky Hawk. And a P"L" is a Los Angeles Assembled Engine for installation in a L.A. (Vernon Plant) Car.

[tony58]

It is a '56 President 289 all right, but it could be out of a President or a Sky Hawk. And a P"L" is a Los Angeles Assembled Engine for installation in a L.A. (Vernon Plant) Car.

Since this is a 1957 Silver Hawk guess that means its not the original engine...
thanks,
Tony

[StudeRich]

That's right, especially since no '57's were built at the Vernon Plant.

[studegary]

It is a '56 President 289 all right, but it could be out of a President or a Sky Hawk. And a P"L" is a Los Angeles Assembled Engine for installation in a L.A. (Vernon Plant) Car.

Did Studebaker actually assemble V8s in Vernon, or were they just engines that were assembled in South Bend and shipped to Vernon to be installed in cars assembled there (with the L in the engine number)?

[StudeRich]

Los Angeles Engine Numbers

Did Studebaker actually assemble V8s in Vernon, or were they just engines that were assembled in South Bend and shipped to Vernon to be installed in cars assembled there (with the L in the engine number)?

You know Gary I do not know how we would verify that today, unless we can find a Local to South Bend former Engine Plant worker to tell us.

It just makes sense to me that it would be done that way, but then common sense did not always enter into Corporate thinking!

They could have fully assembled them in SB and left the stamping until ready for installation, or even stamped them in South Bend thereby creating a mess to keep track of which goes into what.

I have a Original '56 Power Hawk with a VL 259, and a '56 Commander VL8048 Engine which is now a "299" R1 1/2 in my '54 Starliner. I really can't say EXACTLY WHERE they got stamped or assembled.

Now if Dick Quinn has some good pics of the Rail Cars getting loaded with fully assembled Engines, or Engine Parts headed for LA, like the pics we have of the wrecked Rail Cars full of Bodies, we would have a good clue, Hint, hint!

[StudeDave57]

I have a Original '56 Power Hawk with a VL 259, and a '56 Commander VL8048 Engine which is now a "299" R1 1/2 in my '54 Starliner.

Dad- you forgot about the 'loose' 289 sitting in the pile of eight.
It is s/n PL5268, and from my records we have it's original stick bellhousing too!!!




StudeDave '57