Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

I took my cylinder head off and found this number stamped on the block next to a cylinder. What do you suppose it is? Machine shop mark? I know the engine has been worked on sometime in the past because it has .080 oversize pistons.

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

Hello, not sure what “54” would mean. But authorized Ford engine rebuilders would affix a tag usually near the oil filler on block that had crank undersized and bore oversize. Did have an engine that had oversized bore and was stamped on top surface of block .

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

No, there is no tag, but one of the pistons is stamped .080 on top. Strangely, none of the other pistons have a stamp.

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

Could be the amount of cast iron removed when they re-surfaced the top of block!

Measure from oil pan rail to top of block:

11.500 minus .054 = 11.446 INCHES

OF COURSE THAT ASSUMES that block was only re-surfaced ONE TIME!

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

Probably the shop stamped it to keep track of the work done on it. I'd wager the last 2 digits of the invoice was 54. Only one piston stamped means only one hole got bored. These were budget cars rebuild and keep running at the lowest cost.

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

Also possible that after machine work had been done an inspector stamped his number there.

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

1954?

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

I'm guessing 1954 is the reason for the stamp they either did a head gasket or some other work to the engine.

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

Hello again, not too unusual in that era just to do what was necessary to get it back on the road, I have a Model a engine that two of the connecting rod journals are.010 and other two are .020 . Recall reading about a car from the 1920 s had a broken connecting rod and they drilled it and with a piece of strap steel, bolted it together!

Re: Found a number stamped on top of my block
 

You made me curious so I measured the bores with calipers, and they are all .080 over. Apparently the machine shop just stamped one of the pistons and didn’t bother with the other three.