Tim,
An oil distributor is used on all "splash" engines and no full pressure engines.
1953 Power Glide equipped cars were the first year for the full pressure 235 and all of the ones I have seen have Captains bars above the starter (like a 1954 and later 261).
I do not have the documentation here(I am on vacation), but I would suspect 1953 full pressure engines would have there own one year only casting number.
If Chev changed something like dropping the Captains bars for 1954 (and moving them to the 261) they would have given it a new casting number.
It is interesting that the block in question is not stamped next to the distributor.
I would like to here if it has an oil distributor. I would also like to know if the pan rails are straight of does it bulge out at the center on the passenger side. If it bulges out on the pass side then the B73 date code may be 1963 or the 3 may be an 8????
A pic of both sides of the engine would be helpful.
