The cylinder head number is shown as a 1953 235 head in the Inliners' casting number links. The 1953 235 engines came in both a low-pressure version for the manual transmissions and as the first of the full pressure engines with aluminum pistons in the Powerglide cars. Both versions came with the 2-bolt valve covers like the 1952 and earlier engines. The 1953 engines were also the first with 18-bolt heads. The quickest way to differentiate between the low and full pressure engines is to look for the oil distributor plate, as mentioned above. Here is a link to the
illustration in the Master Parts Manual. The serial number stamped in the pad by the distributor is puzzling, as the F54 indicates a 1954 engine from Flint, but I don't know what the m is for. Look at this
link for more info on serial numbers. Serial numbers can sometimes be misleading, if a new replacement block had been purchased by a previous owner and he did not stamp the original number in the new pad. I have four 1954-62 blocks and only one of them has a "correct" serial number.
What you want is the block casting number. It should be a seven digit number cast onto the block near the fuel pump. Here is a
link from the Inliners' site with a pretty good list of casting numbers.
Good Luck with whichever way you go.
Hoyt
