New Member: My '39 120 has strange engine number. Help??

Posted by Dennis Taylor On 2010/10/11 11:33:09

I just found the website and joined today. I have a 1939 120 sedan, model 1701, which I have known does not have its original engine. My uncle got it out of a salvage yard in Pittsburgh, Calif (SF Bay Area) around 1970, and did a cosmetic restoration. It already had a larger engine installed when he got it. I now need to replace the oil pan, and want to know more about the identity of the engine.
The engine number is "N235361. CE" and stamped just below that are the smaller letters "CAL."
I don't find any L-head in-line eights in your list with numbers beginning in "N", so this is what I surmize, or assume, and can someone enlighten me??
I suspect that the factory continued to manufacture straight-eight crate engines (hence the CE following my number) for replacement parts after new car production switched to the V-8, and that this is what I have in my 1701. I can add that the installation seemed to have been done professionally and that the engine being longer fits very tight between the radiator and firewall. The head measures a little over 34", and the exhaust pipe to manifold flange has only two studs. From these observations, and the fact that the engine number is in the 200000 range, I concluded I have a later 288 cid, but don't know the year of its manufacture. Can some of you shed some light on this, and get me in the right direction??
I plan to put this car in your owner's registry soon.
Thanks, Dennis in San Jose, CA




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