Yes, the "N" in that photo didn't show up clearly at all, but trust me that it is clear to the eye under the right lighting. I will clean it up some more, and try to get a better picture to post which shows it clearly.

Thanks for your input.
Dennis

OK, I have read all your latest posts, and have checked them out.
First, the letter is most certainly an "N", not an "H". This also occured to me, so I have triple-checked, and the N is quite clear.
The Sept 48 bulletin describing the "CE" suffix makes good sense, and I believe is right on for my engine: it must have the newer cam and higher capacity oil pan.
The letters "CAL." are stamped BELOW the engine number itself, and I agree with the idea it has to do with a service engine.
I will post some photos of the engine, I apologize in advance for the messyness of it!!
Per Turbopackman's comments, it is not a 282, since it is too long, and the road breather pipe is attached to the rear valve cover plate.
It is not a 356, since the distributor is between the 2nd and 3rd freeze plugs.
Note that on the head, the casting number ends with a "288" in larger letters (see photo), could this signify 288 cid.??
I will take some photos of the oil pan itself and post, and send them to Kanter.
Thanks, and please keep any responses coming!
Dennis

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Thanks for all this info, guys. I will carefully inspect my engine for all these features, and hopefully can determine what it is.
Update: The date on the block casting, in front of the starter, is "12 7 48", so this appears to be a 1948 casting, but how then does it have the wierd engine number "N235361. CE CAL." ??

I will post my findings tonight after I look for all the things you guys pointed out.

The Packard parts guys at Kanter are trying to help me find the correct oil pan for this engine, and so far the dimensions don't make sense. I am confident with your help, we will solve this!!
Dennis

Thanks for the info. I will look again for a date on the block casting. Please keep any more info coming. I am posting a picture of the car for you. When I get my info together, I will enter it in your registry.

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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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