Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Was reading the 1938/1939 Packard Six Shop Manual, and noticed the engine numbering conventions on page 3. It is stated that '38s have engine numbers starting with an "A", and '39s start with "B". The Packard engine (L head straight 6) in my 1939 Six Business Coupe carries an engine number starting with the number 2 and ending with an "A", which seems to defy the numbering convention. Perhaps the engine was swapped some time in the past, or is the car actually a 1938 model? Are there any distinguishing features that would clearly identify the car as a '39? Anyone else notice the engine number format on their Packard(s) not following what the shop manual indicates?

If you take the engine number and plug it into the Engine Section in the Decoder here on the website, it should tell you what it was originally from.

If it doesn't decode, take a picture of it and show us. Sometimes the number stamping can be hard to read and often B and 8 and other letters and number are often misread.

I find rubbing the number with a piece of chalk and then wiping it off will make it easier to read.

The VIN itself should tell you but if 193&, it would have a floor shift and there would be a little piece of trim running up onto the roof above the center divider. More likely yours was a dealer replacement which often came unstampded, then we’re stamped by the dealer.