Redbird, the casting date for the head is under the valve cover, farther toward the rear, and facing the driver's side. The V/C has to come off to see it.
If you have verified that the engine number suffix is T54Z, the Z designates a passenger car 235, originally mated to a standard transmission. That would have a solid lifter camshaft, and the block will not have been drilled at the factory for the oil gallery needed to run hydraulic lifters.
Valve lash for a '54 235 solid lifter passenger car engine was spec'ed at 0.006" intake and 0.016" exhaust.
Doug
Last edited by drdoug; 08/04/2022 2:33 PM.
