How to Identify a 1948 Chevrolet Six Engine
- 1). Locate the serial number located on the passenger side of the block to the rear of the distributor and next to the oil dipstick tube. This location is the the same for both 216 and 235 c.i.d. engine blocks. The number is up to eight digits long and includes a two-letter prefix.
- 2). Decode the number. The prefix is most important part: the first letter is for the year code, the second is the vehicle designation and the third is the plant code. "F" designates 1948. According to Classic Chevrolet, all engines manufactured in 1948 were numbered FA-1001 to FA-825234. These numbers represent the engine blocks manufactured in 1948, even if used on a later year engine.
- 3). Locate the cylinder head casting number under the valve cover, it is stamped directly on the cylinder head. according to Hemmings, the cylinder head number for 1948 is 839401.
