Scott, which book are you using? Looking
here at the 51 car resto pack, the "A" in the serial number designates passenger car. Unfortunately, there may be lots of conflicting info out there when it comes to some of these numbers.
According to the Chevrolet master parts catalog for 1929-1954, the 3835849 block, which was the last 216 block made, is used as the replacement block for all 216's from 41-53. This makes me wonder if perhaps eightfan's block was a replacement block made in 53 for a 51, and the original 51 serial number was stamped on the new block. Is this possible, or were replacement blocks stamped differently, designating them as replacements? I guess that would ultimately be up to the mechanic doing the replacing.
Eightfan, finding the casting number and casting date for your cylinder head might help for further indentification, assuming it's the original. Or, that may just cause more confusion. :rolleyes: :confused: There may be no way to know for sure.
To your original question, though, your engine is definitely a 216.
