Truckedup,
Whether or not all 1953 cars had the same "generation" of engine, the best indication of older vs newer generation is the head-bolt pattern. I have heard the same information that you stated: 1953 235 manual transmission car engines were the older style and the 1953 Powerglide transmission car engines were the newer style and they had hydraulic lifters.
The 1941-1953 235 truck engines had the lower-pressure oil system with dippers (like the 216). I dimly recall reading that while the head-bolt pattern was the same over those years, the blocks had changes over the years. Maybe someone else knows if blocks and heads could be interchanged for all the older style 216/235s (1941-1952/53).
http://www.inliners.org/tech/tech5.html Bill,
Which bolt pattern does your 1953 head have? If it is the newer pattern, are there holes for the 4-screw side-attached valve cover? For those of us that find this estoterica interesting, this would confirm if there was a one-year, unique, head. Have you checked the block and head casting numbers?
http://www.inliners.org/becks/BCN2.html http://www.antiquechevytrucks.com/Content/Engine%20Information/engine_types_side.htm Does anyone have a link to head casting numbers (or, transmission casting numbers)?
Tim
