I need some decision making help. Pardon me if there's too much here for 1 post or this is covered already. I purchased (for a LOT of money) a 235 engine on ebay that is from a 1954 chevy 1/2 ton or 55 1st 1/2 ton:
Engine block # 3835911, head # 3835913, SN 223901 F55V.
It was purchased as rebuilt, and by removing the valve cover and peering through spark plug and fuel pump holes as well as new looking gaskets, it does appear to have been rebuilt and not run, how professionally I am not sure.
In searching for a course tooth flywheel (ebay engine one was badly cracked and my original 216 is a 39, so the bolt pattern is different) I found locally (at a flywheel only price) an engine pulled from a 41 chevy 1/2 ton truck. When I picked it up, I found that it was definitely not a 41 engine. By researching here and other sites, I think it is a 54 hydraulic lifter engine with a 53 head. The head has the 2 bolt valve cover setup and no 4 screw holes. I like this because it looks more like my 216, but I don't know if this mix is a good or bad idea.
Engine block # 3835911, head # 3701887, SN 891775 F54Y.
I am having second thoughts about installing the high price engine and stealing miscellaneous parts from the second, or maybe getting the second engine checked for internal condition or rebuilt and using it instead. Is there any advantage to the hydraulic lifter engine? I see by the old chevy manuals site that the hydraulics came with a few more horsepower in the automatic cars. What about the older head? I don't think having 2 of these engine is a bad thing as they both look like they will bolt directly into my 39, mounts, waterpumps, pulleys and all, with almost no changes. Guess I just need opinions and I've observed on this excellent site that you guys have those!
