George,
Mike has confirmed what you asked-for/needed.
Here are a few other "decodings":
CONT A54 (most likely CON # A54 ?)
CON # = the engine plant conveyor #
A = month = January
5 = day = 5th
4 = year = 1954
Under the valve cover, "above" the head casting code, 3835913, is the head date casting code. That code was used on various 1954/55 car and truck 235 engines.
Between/below the holes in the block for the road draft tube and the distributor should be the block casting code?
I am not certain where the 235 "captain bars" were located for 1954 235s?
Here is the location on a 1960 261. Regarding captain bars on 235s, here is information from Jim Carter (others have reported "261 captain bars" on some/all 1953/54 235 engines?)
"Watch for the "Captain's Bars!" The 261 has two pairs of parallel raised 3/4 inch long bars cast in the block. This is not seen on a 235 except 1954. One pair is above the starter and the second pair is at the top middle of the left side of the block very close to the head. See photos below. The one exception is the early 261 produced in 1954 to mid 1955. It has only one "Captain Bar" above the starter but keeps the pair on the left side."
