Reading the date of manufacture on a engine data plate

[L-4Pilot]

Does anyone know where the date of manufacture is on this Army O-170-3EA engine data plate. I think the year is 1942 based on military serial # AC-42-156989, but I am not 100% positive..

Thanks

[shrike]

That's a fair assumption.
The case should have a date cast into it near the nose as well. That will give a clue (but not proof) as to whether the case is original to the engine, as it's been overhauled at least once since then.

[L-4Pilot]

That's a fair assumption.
The case should have a date cast into it near the nose as well. That will give a clue (but not proof) as to whether the case is original to the engine, as it's been overhauled at least once since then.

Is this the # you mentioned, and thanks for the response. The only log book does not mention a case change.

Last edited by L-4Pilot on Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Cvairwerks]

The AC-42 # number probably is not the s/n, but the procurement contract number. You would have to actually get a copy of the contract to see the production time frame unless you already knew it for engine s/n's above or below it. Also, the 42 code rarely has any date meaning.....we were building F-16's under a 33 code contract.

There's a bit too much glare in the picture to be able to read all of the data plate markings, but from what I can read, the 138 # is more likely the s/n.

[51fixer]

42 would denote when the contract was created. Production date would be different in the sense it would be produced as a part of that contract at a subsequent point in time.
If that contract was put in effect at the end of 42 it might have been built in 43.
Could be the contract came about as a result of Pearl Harbor and was an early 42 contract so it might have been built in 42 or 43.
Just guesses on my part.

[shrike]

That's the casting date showing what looks like a 42 date.

The 1383428 is the continental serial number.
The AC-42 number should be the Army serial number. I don't think the format is right for a contract number which (IIRC) would start with W535-ac-XXXXX