The engine, or at least the block, may have been a replacement that came from Chevrolet with no serial number stamped on the pad. A previous owner could have had anything stamped, depending on the circumstances of the replacement.
Do you have the block casting number? It is a seven-digit number cast into the block, probably forward of the fuel pump, above the oil pan flange. Are you sure that it is low pressure? Does it have the
oil distributor on the driver's side of the block? The 1953 Powerglide engines have the short sideplate and two-stud valve cover, but they are high pressure engines with aluminum pistons.
Hoyt
