The Crosley Phone Call
Vol 1 No. 3 – Ed’s Tech Tips: The Crosley Phone Call
“Picking up the phone for your first Crosley is more than a call—it’s stepping into history. Who knew a 4-cylinder could hold so many secrets? Every Crosley has a story waiting under the hood, and after today, you might just be a Crosley player.”
Ted and I have put down some ideas, important things that distinguish Crosleys and important features, engine type, brake systems, and other critical questions for that first Crosley phone call. Again, neither of us claim to be “experts” and we just have few ideas to share.
Crosley Phone Call – first things:
1) What year is it? Do you know the serial (VIN) number?
(Sometimes people confuse the year of a Crosley, and if you get the serial number, it will tell you the actual year of the car.
This number is on the engine side of the firewall toward the cabin:
Pre-War Models
1939 - C1A
1940 - C2A
1941 - CB41
1942 – CB42
CC Models
1946 - CC46-100 to CC46-5205
1947 - CC47-10000 to CC47-26999
CC-2700 to CC31999
1948 - CC-32,000 to CC-61256
CD Models
1949 CD-100001 to CD-108628
1950 CD-200001 to CD-206685
1951 CD-300001 to CD-306958
1952 CD-400001 and up
2) How often has the car been driven?
Most Crosleys are not driven much. It's not a bad thing, but it is good to know the driving history. A good rule of thumb for this:
If they say, “It has been sitting for a few months”, figure it's been sitting for 6 months to a year.
If they say, “It has been sitting for about a year”, figure it has been sitting about 2 to 5 years.
If they say, “It has been sitting for 5 years”, figure it has been sitting for 10 to 20 years.
3) Ask them about the condition of the Crosley’s body?
Is there any rust around the drip rails (gutters)
Do the lower fenders and rockers have any rust?” rotted out or surface rust?
Are the floors in good shape, any rot holes? (Note: Part of the floor is double reinfored for major support.) Has it been patched?
4) How is the gas tank?
Has it been sealed?
Does it need to be cleaned out?
Is there fuel that has been sitting for a while in the tank?
5) Which version of the 4cyl engine does it have?
Pre-War 1939-1942
This was a 2 cylinder Waukeshaw 2 cycle engine. It was air cooled. (Even the company didn’t want to admit they made it for Crosleys)
Determining Which Crosley Engine You Have (1946-1952)
Crosley Engine 1 Tin Block (COBRA)
On the first Crosley Engine, the tin block, the Crosley emblem is in the center of the block. These early post WWII engines, although known for being extremely light (about 70 lbs.) were known for acquiring small pin hole leaks due to corrosion from antifreeze and other coolants.
Crosley Engine 2 (Conversion Block)
The second block has the Crosley emblem up top of the block to left hand side and the emblem is pushed back. This was the conversion block. It was what Crosley sold you when your tin block rotted out. (Hot Rodders like theses blocks because the base where the bolt to the engine case is thinner to compensate for the tin block and it gives you more compression.)
Crosley Engine 3 Cast Iron Block (CIBA)
This was the production block that replaced the tin block. It can be identified by the location of the Crosley emblem at the top, to the left, and all the way forward.
6) What type of brakes does the Crosley have?
Over the years, Crosley have had 3 different brake types. Mechanical, Hydraulic, and Disc (Disc 1949 only corrosion, etc.)
6) What type of brakes does the Crosley have?
Over the years, 1946-52, Crosleys have had 3 different brake types.
Mechanical Brakes(1939-48 except 1949-50 VC Disc)
The thing you need to know about these are the bigger the leg you have the faster you will stop. Plan your stops!!! Once you learn how to adjust them, they are adequate – not great.
Mechanical Brake Drum
Hydraulic Drum (1950-52)
A great improvement from the mechanical brakes and appeared on Crosleys from 1949-52. It’s been said, “You could stop on a dime, and “It will give you back two nickels!”
Hydraulic Brake Drum
Disk Brakes
These were 4-wheel disks only produced for a short time in 1949 and some of 1950. They tended to corrode and leak and were replaced with hydraulic shoe
A Final Word…
We cannot guarantee these questions will eliminate all problems. We just hope these “phone call tips” can help you when calling on your Crosley. No “classic car” is ever perfect when purchased. The goal is to help you minimize big mistakes especially for the Crosley brand.
Upcoming programs we will highlight Crosley information for those of you who want to Buy a Crosley.
Assessing Your Crosley Onsite – The Exterior and Interior
Towing Your New Crosley Home
Please share our link on CaptivatedbyCrosley.com, FaceBook, Instagram and other social media with others. Pass our information around. Again, please get “Captivated” and Stay “Captivated” by Crosleys!
