Poured Babbitt rods were used through 1953 on 216's and 235's, except the 1953 Powerglide engine which had inserts, and full pressure oiling to the rods.
1953 is an interesting year.
In 1953 light trucks and the Sedan Delivery used the 216 engine. Large trucks and passenger cars with 3 speed transmissions used a 235 engine similar to the 1950-1952 Powerglide
engine except that it did not have hydraulic lifters.
1953 passenger cars with Powerglide transmissions had a “breakthrough” engine. This 235 engine can be considered as the first of the modern era. The important features of this engine were:
Full pressure lubrication
Hydraulic valve lifters
Insert rod and main bearings
Aluminum pistons
The 1953 Powerglide engine also was the first engine to wear the Captain Bars.
I believe the Captain Bars were put on the Powerglide engine to make identification of the PG engine over the stick engine easy at the factory. Both stick engines and Powerglide engines used the same head. Stick engines had an oil distributor on the drivers side, PG engines had nothing. But identifying the engine from the passenger side needed something special. I believe this is the reason for the Captain Bars above the starter.
Starting in 1954 all 235's were full pressure, but the new 261 engine came on the scene. Chev now needed a way to identify the 261 from the 235, so they switched the Captain Bars over to the 261. In the 261's case the Captain Bars were put on both sides of the engine.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
