I have a low pressure 1948 235 in my 39 Chev that I thought was a 216 for the last 13 years until running the numbers using the resources on this site.
The engine it replaced was a 216 with a cracked water jacket and I pitched the block in '93 before I thought to do stuff like document numbers.
I have a Carter YF with the smaller spacing on the intake manifold and my head is a '53 for a 216. Finally my truck is titled off a replaced VIN plate that is incomplete but accurate for what is there for my truck. It is only missing the production number.
From what I understand, the 216 and 235 are nearly identical other than bore and I think even a lot of the parts are interchangeable.
While a 235 is not correct for my '39 it is quite possibly correct for your '44 firetruck.
Other than the people who have a '235' stamped on the oil pan (I do not), I don't know anyway of telling based on the information you have.
If anyone else has some secret - I would surely love to learn that info as well!
