The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216, 235, or ???

Since we are all guessing, we should allow second guessing (until we get date codes and other codes - see below).

Does the car have a manual transmission (as was standard in 1949)?

Let's say it is a late 1949 car with a manual transmission and was treated as a 1950 engine/transmission combination. In 1950, the engine in a manual transmission car would have been a 216 (tall side cover). In 1950, the Powerglide was introduced and it was matched (standard equipment) with a 235 engine (short side cover).

Now, to follow through further in considering your theory, what is the block & head casting codes and block & head date casting codes?