The 115hp “Blue Flame” 235.5 engine in 1953 was full high-pressure oil system, with aluminum pistons, 7.5:1 compression ratio, Hydraulic valve lifters, and was used with the Powerglide transmission available only in the “Two-Ten” and Bel Air models.
The 108hp “Thrift King” engine in 1953 had 235.5 cu. Inch displacement, was low-pressure with four way-lubrication, had cast alloy iron pistons, lower compression ratio (7.1:1), solid valve lifters and was used with the manual shift transmission.
