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NAILHEAD Codes 'til '56

1959 401 The engine serial number is stamped on a machined surface on the top outer edge of the left cylinder bank, between the middle branches of the exhaust manifold. The last digit of the engine serial number is 4 for Series 40, 5 for Series 50, 6 for Series 60, 7 for Series 70. According to some sources, a 100 suffix is used for the Series 100 Skylark of 1954.

A stamped 1/4" long dash after the production code number indicates a .010" O.S. production engine. It is not unusual to find the letter I used in place of the number 1 in the id numbers (this makes alteration more difficult). In some cases the letter I is intended, as in the case of year identifier character for 62. The VIN is the same as the engine serial number for 1957 to 64.

The red * indicate "NAILHEAD"
YEAR
SERIES
DISPLACEMENT
SERIAL NOS. START AT
1953
40
L-8 263
6950620-4
50
V-8 322*
V2415-5
70
V-8 322*
70 V2001-7
1954
40
V-8 264*
V273956-4
50
V-8 322*
V273956-5
60
V-8 322*
V273956-6
70
V-8 322*
V273956-7
100
V-8 322*
V273956-100
1955
40
V-8 264*
V720080-4
50
V-8 322*
V720080-5
60
V-8 322*
V720080-6
70
V-8 322*
V720080-7
1956
40
V-8 322 2bbl*
V1460023-4
50
V-8 322*
V1460023-5
60
V-8 322*
V1460023-6
70
V-8 322*
V1460023-7
1957
40
V-8 364 2bbl*
4D1000989 (NOTE 1)
50
V-8 364*
5D1001001
60
V-8 364*
6D1001001
70, 75
V-8 364*
7D1001001
NOTE 1: On the 1957 production code number, data is very scarce for the prefix characters ahead of the 3-digit date code. At present, it is easier to identify these engines by the serial number. There were few, if any, optional engines that year.
1958
40
V-8 364 2bbl*
4E1001001 (NOTE 2)
50
V-8 364*
5E1001001
60
V-8 364*
6E1001001
70
V-8 364*
7E1001001
700
V-8 364*
8E1001001
A stamped letter X before the production code number indicates a 60-50-70-700 series engine equipped with 9.5 to 1 compression ratio pistons.

NOTE 2: On the 1958 production code number, data is very scarce for the prefix characters ahead of the 3-digit date code. At present, it is easier to identify these engines by the serial number. There were few optional engines that year.
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Ultimate American V8 Engine Data Book : 1949 - 74
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