I got my first Stovebolt 6 in 1967, nearly 37 years ago. It was a 216 in a 40 car. I got my first 235 in 74 in a 62 car. From 89 to 91 I built up a 235 from spare
parts and made it run in my 55-1st truck. I have a 58 235 on a stand now. I have a few books and manuals and have read literally thousands of pages of text, including on-line about these old Chevies. I share all this only to say that I thought I knew all there was to know about 235's. Of course I was wrong. A friend told me he had a 53 car with the original 235 and stick shift. I thought a 53 car with stick was a 216. SO, I got out my copy of the 1957 Motors manual and looked it up. According to that source beginning in 53 all Chevy sixes were 235's. It was the new designed head with 18 head bolts. The stick shift cars stll had the dippers on the rods, etc. Only the PG cars had oil pressure on the rods. The heads were the same for both. They did not have the 4 little threaded holes for the valve cover screws. It was held down by studs like all previous 216 & 235. Starting in 54 the valve cover had the 4 screws. So, yes I would agree that the 53 head was unique to that year. ( I can hardly believe I forgot that, I've only had that old Motors manual since 1967.)
