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Ok, I figured I would start trying to capture the numbers on the cars I have and maybe my fathers as well. Also, trying to figure out what info the numbers may yield. Some of the cars have data plates, some have blank spots and are blank so I thought I would list them here, maybe one or two at a time and start trying to sort them out.

I'll start with the Packard number, followed by the TPN and engine number. I don't know how to identify if the engine is original or not. Maybe we can piece this together.

Any help would be appreciated

First is the 1954 convertible

5479-2570
C78043

I haven't been able to find the engine number, I think I'll have to put it on a lift to find it.This car is the source of a few questions. It looks to have a 327 engine. In speaking with my mechanic, I had always thought there were two convertible models this year. The Caribbean and the convertible. I thought they both had 359 engines. He seems to think there was also a 327 version. I'd like to figure out if this is the original engine or if it was replaced.


The second car is a 1955 Clipper Constellation
D25654
5567-2986
Paint M
Trim 30

Debating on whether to keep the Constellation or not. I have it on ebay right now.

Thanks

Tinpan

You are right.54 Convertibles came with the 359.It had an aluminium head that often warped and was replaced by many with a 327 head.Get the engine number off the drivers side of the block and you can tell for sure if its a 327 or 359.

Thanks GTO, I've been all over that side of the block and can't find number. I am going to have my buddy do another round of trying to get the windows working again, I'll have him get the numbers when he does that. lol.

Here's two more:

1952 Patrician
TPN B27947
plate in engine compartment - 2552- 3938
plate on door ( painted over) 2552- looks to be 5938 maybe it's the same as the engine compartment

1956 400
TPN - D13052
door plate 5687-1230
paint MK
Trim 86

On your 1954, the engine number is on a small raised rectangular pad on the engine block just below the temperature gauge sender (driver's side, far rear, top). The 1954 "359" engine numbers ranged from M600001 to M605618. There was no option in the Caribbean or convertible for a smaller 327 engine but as stated before, cylinder head swaps were and still are common. For the 1952 and 1954 cars if you subtract 2000 from the 2nd set of digits on the vehicle number you have the production sequence number. On 1955 and 1956 cars subtract 1000.

And thanks for the numbers!

The was never any serial number of any kind on the head. Just a casting number that was common to all heads in that same casting. The engine number is alway on the block for the straight eights.

This is where the engine number is located, You may need to hit that area with a wire wheel to remove any old grease and paint, and then rub the area with a piece of chalk to make the number visible.

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Thanks guys, that is a wealth of information. Looks like the 56 400 was the 230th produced. Interesting.

Apparently I suck at finding engine numbers. lol

I did find the one for my 52 400. It is K601885



Here's the 54 convertible. I do not see the raised part on the block. I guess I'll try scrubbing that area a little.

If you don't find the block or a number in the normal 54 spot at the rear, the numbers were in a couple of other places on some of the other inline 8 engines. Maybe a possibility if the engine was changed.

Some numbers were on the block itself -- not on a pad -- in the area around the distributor. Those can be very hard to see thru the rough casting, particularly so if the engine is greasy and the numbers were faintly stamped.

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Ok, here are a couple more

1939 Super Eight
VN 12722816
TPN 483050
Engine B503343

1948 Deluxe Eight Club Sedan
VN 22651110
TPN 823016
engine G256268GE

One more, my dad's

1949 Custom Eight
VN 2252-9-7371
TPN- not yet
Engine - not yet

A couple questions:

"For the 1952 and 1954 cars if you subtract 2000 from the 2nd set of digits on the vehicle number you have the production sequence number. On 1955 and 1956 cars subtract 1000."

Where do you guys find this information? lol. If you don't mind, what is the formula for 1940's and 1930's as well.

Using the example of the 400, subtracting 1000 would mean it was the 230th. Would that be the 230th car produced that year or the 230th 400?

Also, is there a way to research what paint codes and trim cars originally had? As you can see that info isn't always on the data plate.

Thanks

Tinpan