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spark plugs / engine number

Started by MTHahn, September 05, 2013, 05:11:53 PM

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MTHahn

I have a 1949 Cadillac 4dr ......what I need to know is what are the proper AC spark plugs for this engine or which modern AC plugs are a proper alternative    and where can I find the engine number    and body plate with vin #  Thank you  MTHahn

Jay Friedman

#1
The following is taken from the 1948-49 Authenticity Manual which is available from the CLC for $65.  Go to home page and click on technical resources.

The VIN for 49 Cadilacs is 9 digits. The first two digits indicate the year ( 49), the third and fourth digits indicate the series number (60, 61 or 62), and the last five digits are a sequential number of cars of all Series built that model year.  The last five digits of the lowest VIN is 00001. The last five digits of the highest VIN is 92554 in 1949, which corresponds to the quantity of cars manufactured during the model year.

The VIN is stamped on the top of the passenger side frame rail just behind the front suspension and forward of the point where the cowl is attached to the frame. The VIN is also stamped on a boss on the  passenger’s side of the engine block, just forward of the right cylinder head.   The front frame rail and engine location VINs can be seen by opening the hood and leaning down over the passenger’s side fender, although accumulated grease and dirt could obscure them.

A white plastic lubrication due date tag was mounted to the car. On closed cars, it is located on the driver’s side front windshield pillar; on convertibles and Coupe de Villes it is on the door hinge support panel between the two hinges. The VIN appears on this tag.

The front frame rail and engine location VINs can be seen by opening the hood and leaning down over the passenger’s side fender, although accumulated grease and dirt could obscure them.

In addition, the VIN appears on a 2½ x 4 inches (10.2 x 6.4 cm.) owner’s identification card with blue text, which is mounted on the center of the black-painted “air deflector” panel in front of the radiator. 

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In '49, spark plugs can be either AC Type 48 or AC Type 46-5.  Though all early cars were equipped with the Type 48 spark plug, beginning with` engine number 31613 all cars were equipped with the cooler AC Type 46-5 spark plugs at the factory.  Before the model year ended the factory recommended installing 46-5 spark plugs on early cars if mechanics were having problems with the Type 48 spark plugs.   

This mean either 48 or 46-5 plugs are authentic.  48 plugs can be found NOS on ebay from time to time.  46-5 plugs are harder to find.  Modern equivalents are Autolite 86, Autolite A11, Champion J18Y and AC 45. 


1949 Cadillac 6107 Club Coupe
1932 Ford V8 Phaeton (restored, not a rod).  Sold
Decatur, Georgia
CLC # 3210, since 1984
"If it won't work, get a bigger hammer."

MTHahn

Thank you......but I still need the location of the "engine number"    MTHahn

R Schroeder

As stated by Jay.

The VIN is stamped on a boss on the  passenger’s side of the engine block, just forward of the right cylinder head.

P W Allen CLC# 20193

Here's an illustration of the locations. It's from a 52 shop manual, but it's the same for a 49.
Paul
53 Coupe
Twin Turbine