I have to credit this information to Chevgene over at the VCCA. So here is what he had to say to sort things our in my mind:
The 1953 head casting 3708887 dropped the screws for the side cover but still retained the center rocker cover studs. It had a compression ratio (CR) raised to 7.1:1
The 1954-55 first series head casting 3835913 incorporated the four drilled and tapped holes to attach the rocker cover. Intake valve guides are shorter than 1953. CR upped to 7.5:1, 20hp increase over 1953.
The 1956 head casting 3836848 Was the same head as the 913 but now has a pipe thread for the electric temp gauge. CR was 8.0:1
The 1957 head casting same as 1956
The 1958 head casting same as 1956 but CR now upped to 8.25:1
The 1959 to 1962 head same as the 1958.
And as is presented in the parts books the 3836848 head was a replacement for the 1953 to 1962 235. And of course in 1953 the old 216 was still retained in the light trucks so the head info doesn’t apply for that year truck.

So, all I can say is the information clears my head!
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny G
Sandwich, IL