We need help identifying a Cadiilac 331 Motor. It appears to be a 1953 due to 12 volt system , 4 barrel carb , and stick shift flywheel and clutch. Here is the rub, the block is stamped on the left rear above the transmission mount flange: 2S458
There is no serial number stamped on the block flange at the front right. Also cast into the rear of the block are the numbers 3N30 above 1460088. The distributor has part number 1110835, the carb is a GM 4 Jet part number 7005100, the starter is part number 1107969. The engine was in a 1941 Lincoln Continental, back in that time period the high compression Cadillac motor was often refitted in place of the Lincolns lethargic V-12. 1953 was the last year for a stick shift Cadillac until CTS-V. Was this some type of Service Parts motor? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks for your help. Tim Pawl, Curator, Cadillac & LaSalle Club Museum and Research Center.
Tim,
The casting number for the block 1460088 is before 1955. My book only goes to 55 for casting numbers.
The Rochester carburetor 7005100 is off a 1953 Cadillac
The starter is 6 volt, 1107969, from 1950 thru 1952, would turn the engine over better if it had more compression.
The distributor 1100838 is off a 1953 Cadillac.
Best I could do with what little I have left.
John Washburn
The engine unit number (EUN) *S*** (2S458 on yours) denotes a 1953 engine (*R*** for 1952, *T*** for 1954).
2S*** were originally mounted in limousines or commercial chassis with a manual transmission and without A/C (from P. Sessler's "American V-8 engine data book").
3N30 may mean a casting date : (month ?) 30, 1953
There should be casting numbers on cylinder heads, and on intake and exhaust manifolds.
1953 cylinder heads : 3630323 right, 3630324 left.
1952-55 intake manifold : 1463414
1952-55 exhaust manifolds : 1461368 right, 1461495 left
Philippe M. Ruel,
Can you share where you got this info? I would love to have a copy.
John Washburn
All my information in the above message is from the book I mentioned : "Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book - 1949-1974" by Peter C. Sessler - MBI Publishing Co.
It lists most American-built V8 engines. Here are the four pages concerning Cadillac - to forum administrators : please remove them if they enforce the forum rules about copyrighted material. This book is not too easy to find now, I guess it would sell well if it were re-printed.
EDIT : it wasn't easy to find before it was reprinted 2 years ago - I just discovered it ;)
Thanks.....1953 Commercial chassis Series 75 or 86 with manual transmission, I appreciate the info on the EUN's . It is a fairly rare engine. Tim Pawl
My 1935-1955 Cadillac Master Parts List has a page listing engine blocks for sale for Cadillacs and LaSalles going back to 1937. (They include the crankshaft and pistons but no heads). In any case, it states at the top of the page that "Factory will stamp engine number on block when specified with order". I think this explains why your engine does not have a (VIN / serial) number stamped on the block flange at the front right since it was bought as a service engine as you surmised. I guess whoever bought it did not intend to install it in a Cadillac so no need for that number. Also, if it was bought to install in the Lincoln you found the engine in, it would have to be a stick shift engine (V12 Lincolns did not have any kind of automatic transmission), which explains why it had a 2Sxxx EUN or Engine Unit Number.
Three points of interest: 1. the factory used the EUN to keep track of the build sequence of engines since a VIN or serial number was not stamped on a motors until it was assigned to a chassis on the assembly line on which the VIN had already been stamped. Motors would not necessarily be installed on a chassis in the order in which they were built which is why the EUN was needed; 2. My parts book shows the list price of a 53 motor was $246.58 while 49 and 50 motors were $5 less and 37-48 motors were $19 more.
Philippe,
I am a dope. I have the book, but never looked at the first pages. Just focused on the listing. Thanks for teaching me, once again, to pay attention.
John Washburn