K10 truck engine ID

[Coupe Express]

Can anyone ID a 245 engine with the following info: s/n OT918; block casting # 523140; below casting # is E 6 1. Curious to find out if it is the original engine for my K10 serial #K10 820 with body # K10-C2 520. Also need the info for ordering rebuild parts.
Thanks, Mike

[StudeRich]

You need to find your Engine's Serial Number, it is on the machined flat pad at the Left side, Front, near the top.

The original would be a 226 as the Commander Six was not stroked to 245 until 1949.

I believe it MAY be a 06/01/1951 Cast Block, so it could be a 245.
E= 1951, 6 = June, 1 = the 1st.

If that is the case, the Serial Number should be a 4RXXX, if OT-918 is on the machined Pad, it is some aftermarket stamped number on a New blank Factory replacement Block.

[Studebaker Wheel]

The engine number OT918 is consistent with that used on all the 1938-40 K-10 Fast Transports (started with OT1 in Nov. 1937). The engines however were not 245's but 226 c.i. (79 horsepower). I am a bit confused by the date code you list E 6 1. I believe the letter prefix should be an R designating a 1938 casting date. You might wish to recheck that. There were 1000 K-10's built. They came with a wide or narrow box or could be ordered with a stake bed. Of course they could also be ordered w/o a body for local installation. Have lots of literature and data on the K-10. Just a few of the items below. I also have a roster of owners. Would be interested in seeing a photo or two of your truck.

[StudeRich]

In our Six Cylinder Engine I.D. resource page here, we do not have an "OT", so I refer to our Pre-war Car/Truck expert Richard Quinn's info as more correct.

But something is confusing about this Engine, maybe they stamped the original Engine number on a blank New Factory 1951 245 Replacement Engine!


Link to 6 Cylinder Engine I.D. Info: http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/tech_6data.asp

[Dwain G.]

Everybody's right! It is a 245, the block casting number tells us it is from the early '50s, and the date code says it was cast in 1951. Thanks to Dwight FitzSimons for explaining the date codes. The alphabet was used twice. It started over in 1947. The original engine number was stamped on the replacement engine, just as dealers were instructed to do. This was considered important because so many states titled by engine serial number, not vehicle serial number back then.

[Coupe Express]

Thanks to everyone for the information -- very helpful. I thought it might be a replacement engine because it has bearing inserts and I believe someone had told me that engine would be babbited if it were a 38.
Thanks, Mike

[jclary]

Interesting...I've heard various dates for when Studebaker began using "insert" bearings, but lack confidence in the information. (and the accuracy of my memory)

How 'bout someone, who knows, give us the correct info. Did the change happen in all engines offered in one year? How about the smaller displacement engines, larger sixes, and the straight 8's? I've never owned a poured Babbitted bearing engine. Therefore, I am unsure of how difficult (these days) it would be to get one renewed should a rebuild be necessary. While I have had a life long dream of owning a "pre-war" car...that would have a huge "bearing" on what years to own. (pun intended)

[40studek10baker]

I am having the same problem. I have a 1940 K10 that is supposed to have engine #OT 955. That number isn't on my engine. I have a steel tag where that number would be that says "Do not remove this plate Order replacement parts for this engine - part number 532915 - from special engine section in current parts list".
There is also a block casting number under the distributor: 523140-1. And under that: H 10 29. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone. Andrew

[40studek10baker]

Also, I got the OT 955 number from the data tag inside the cab of my truck where it stated "engine number". My truck's Vin # K10860

[Skip Lackie]

You have a dealer-installed replacement engine. That tag was attached to inform service personnel that the engine was a later replacement with some different internal parts. 532915 is a 245.6 cu in Commander 6 engine. They remained in production through 1960, and parts for it are available. In states were engine numbers were used for registration purposes, the dealer was supposed to stamp the old engine number on the new block.

[40studek10baker]

Thank you! Where did you end up finding that info? I searched and searched to no avail.

[Skip Lackie]

I found that part number in the 49-56 truck parts book, but it's almost surely in a couple of car parts books, too. Since the number begins with a 5, that engine was originally designed for use in Stude passenger cars (49 Commander, I think) and also became the standard engine in some Stude trucks after January 1, 1949. It was the replacement engine for all trucks that originally were equipped with the 226 cu in engine.

[40studek10baker]

Thanks Skip!

[8E45E]

More K10 engine info here: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...nsport-Express

Craig