1954 Kaiser Engine Plate

[shadetree77]

I looked through all of the materials at my disposal for the answer to this but couldn't find any pictures or any mention of something like this. All I could find was a short sentence saying that they redesigned the engine tag in '54. I recently acquired a 226 from a '54 and I cleaned off the tag today and noticed that it has a smaller tag attached to the side of the larger tag. This smaller tag has the motor number stamped into it vertically. Picture below. This seems kind of strange and more than a little redundant to me. Can anyone tell me if this is normal for a '54 engine? Just curious really.

[mbflemingkf]

Normal, my 54 Manhattan had it.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The engine ID tag changed at the start of the 1954 model year.  KAISER identifies a motor originally intended for use in a Kaiser car.  There are also WILLYS tags for the 226 that reflect engines built for Jeep and Willys vehicles.  There are differences between some parts in the two forms but these items can be swapped successfully.  The Willys versions produce a bit less horsepower than the Kaiser units.

[mbflemingkf]

I wonder what the "A" denotes at the end of the motor number on the data plate?     My 54 did not have the "A".

Jack, do you know if the motor number tag on the right was meant to "break off" from the data plate?  It looks like there is a small hole on one end like to attach it to something?    

[joefrazer]

Yes, the smaller tag was meant to be removed. The dealer did it for warranty purposes.

[shadetree77]

Great information gentleman. Always good to add to my knowledge banks. Thanks! Now, that just leaves the mystery of the "A" at the end of the number. It definitely looks like a different stamping than the motor number. Anyone have any info. on that?

[Aeroman]

I'll have to check, but I think the "A" on some cars meant that the pistons were oversized by the factory.. I think I saw this in a parts book.

[ldladyvt]

letters following the engine serial number indicate the following - 'A' denotes .010 undersize main and connecting rod bearings fitted at the factory, 'N' denotes .020 oversized pistons, 'AN' denotes a combination of 'A' and 'N'.

[shadetree77]

Well you can't get much better than that! All mysteries solved. Gotta' love what the internet can do for car guys. Thanks to everyone that commented and shared their knowledge.