I need help in understanding the engine from my 1950 COE. I know it is rebuilt because the serial number is overstamped and the engine had been painted green. The block casting codes indicate that is is a 1958 235 cu. in.(3738307) with date code G298. The head casting code is 3836848 which would indicate a 58 to 62 head. So clearly this is a rebuilt later engine. The original valve cover has been retained (two acorn nuts hold it on) and there is no oil cap (this is a cabover, so you must fill the engine oil by opening the cap on the draft tube).
The odd part is that there is an external copper oil line going from a tee at where the oil pressure line hooks in. This line wraps around the back and enters the head above the distributor, which I presume is to supply oil to the rockers. Why was this done, does anybody know?
Another issue is that before we removed the engine for restoration, I did a compression check and got readings from 105-110. At the time I thought I had the old splash oiler and thought this was OK. I learned later, when I did the compression check, I did not remove the spark plugs, so perhaps the readings would have been higher if I had done it correctly. If I had done the compression check correctly, would the values had been higher? Knowing that I have a later 235 I am concerned with those readings. I need to determine if a rebuild is in order before the cab is put back on. Thanks!
