Motor Identification

[Edsel Face]

There is no VIN number on the front left side of the block on my '62 Lark 289. Is there another way to determine that this is in fact a 289 Studebaker motor?

[mbstude]

Remove a spark plug and look at the top of the piston. Standard 289 has dished top pistons, 259 has flat tops.

[Edsel Face]

Sorry, I didn't make my self very clear. Given that there is no VIN on the left front of the motor, which is supposed to be on a machined pad which there is none, how can I confirm that this is a Studebaker motor and not from another make? The prior owner claimed that this rebuilt motor came from a 1963 Avanti

[Dean McHenry]

Ok there are several ways to figure out a Studebaker V8 at first glance.

Does the intake manifold stand clear of the valley?
Is there a Valley cover?
Is the distributer in the rear of the engine?
Is the water pump attached to the water distribution manifold with 4 bolts?
Are the valve covers held down with either 4 or (later 2) bolts in the center of the cover??
Does it have a remote oil filter or(if it's supposed to be an Avanti) a full flow on the lower right side ??

Far as I know there are no other common engines that fit this easy to see question . Dmc


A pix would get the experts on board ...

[64V-K7]

Sorry, I didn't make my self very clear. Given that there is no VIN on the left front of the motor, which is supposed to be on a machined pad which there is none, how can I confirm that this is a Studebaker motor and not from another make? The prior owner claimed that this rebuilt motor came from a 1963 Avanti

Yah, first look would be to see if there's a spin-on filter or the block casting is 1554641, which indicates a full flow block/ any Full flow block can be made into an R-series (Avanti) engine... The notable aspects would be the front pulley arrangement, which includes a modern style harmonic damper vs a steel plate, oil pan with PCV tubing, etc...

[StudeRich]

A GM, Ford or Chrysler engine does not look anything like this '62 Lark:



Is this Pad not even there, on the Top of the Block front, left corner ?
That is the valve Lifter Cover at the left upper corner.

[Edsel Face]

thank you all for your input. The answer to Dean's questions is YES for all of them. To 64V-K7 and StudeRich, the block casting # is 1554641, after removing more of the paint a pad is visible. There are no letters or numbers , just a symbol of a three leaf clover or a club, like a two of clubs on a playing card. This is placed just above the number 7 in the picture above. Odd, but at least it is a happy ending.

[Tturley]

What does this casting #indicate?

[Skip Lackie]

The cloverleaf symbol indicates that it was built as a heavy duty engine, with chrome top rings, exhaust valve rotocaps, etc.

[StudeRich]

Rotocaps only on a Complete engine.

Also; Heavy Duty Tri-Metal Clevite 77 (3) Center Main Bearings and Rod Bearings, and the "Avanti" connection: the Aluminum Cam Gear, if it was a Short Block or Complete engine.

If there were clover leaf Block and Piston Assy's. they would only have the chrome top rings.

[Edsel Face]

Photo, 289 , 1963

[StudeRich]

SO, it's back to Post # 2, checking the Pistons Plus the Stroke, for Avanti R1/R2, or Standard 259 or 289.

Replacement engines were not all 289's, it COULD be any of the three.

Another clue, not a positive one, but a clue between Standard or Avanti R2, is the Cylinder Heads, casting number.

[Tturley]

The ID number on my 60 Hawk is unreadable but it does have 1554641 head casting number, rear distributor, four bolt, water pump mount, .two bolt valve covers and intake manifold raised above valley cover. Can I assume it is a later Avanti motor ?

[Tturley]

Also screw on oil filter

[StudeRich]

So NOW we are talking about an Engine in a 1960 Hawk ?


Tom, you are looking at the Engine Block, Raised, CASTING Number 1554641 (Not Cylinder Head) which is the same on all late '62 to '64 Full Flow Studebaker Blocks of ANY c.i.d. size, which is what it is.
Not GM.

I don't believe you have found the actual Engine Serial Number Pad stamped with it's individual # on the Top of the Driver side, front corner of the block like shown in Post # 6.

Here is what an Avanti Engine would look like in a Hawk:

[Tturley]

I think. You are confusing me with another poster. I know it is a Studebaker motor and that is a casting number. I found the area where the motor number is but it is unreadable for some reason. I did not know Avantis came in a 259’ thought they were all 289s

[Dwight FitzSimons]

All Avanti engines were either 289 cu. in. (R1 & R2) or 304.5 cu. in. (R3 & R4).

[Dwight FitzSimons]

All Avanti engines were either 289 cu. in. (R1 & R2) or 304.5 cu. in. (R3 & R4).

[StudeRich]

NO, actually I was answering what You said, Quote:

I think. You are confusing me with another poster. I know it is a Studebaker motor and that is a casting number. I found the area where the motor number is but it is unreadable for some reason. I did not know Avantis came in a 259’ thought they were all 289s

...NO !

Just as Edsel needs to, you need to read Post # 10, It's a replacement "Studebaker Engine", not proven to be any kind of Avanti engine, so it could be a Lark, Hawk 259, 289 or Avanti R1, R2, or R3 "304.5" engine, no way to know until you measure its Stroke and check the Piston Tops, since you have No Engine Serial Number.

What about those Cylinder Head casting numbers ? Another unanswered clue.