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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 19 | Gentlemen and Ladies I need help. I purchased a 50 chevy 3600 to do a restomod on that the previous owner reported to have a 235 power plant in but I am doubting this claim. I believe it is a 230.
Thankfully I have the original 216 and attachments but of course I want to properly identify this "current " engine. I have always had difficulty in the differentiation of the 230 and 250 due to their near identical exterior but lack the personal acquaintance with the 235.
Bottom line what is the easiest way to tell the difference between the 230 and 235. Appreciate the help in advance. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 200 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 200 | Stovebolts have only one side cover, while the next generation of 6 cylinders(194-292) have 2 side covers. Quick and easy way to tell at first glance.
We cannot solve our problems today using the same thinking we used when we created them!
Albert Einstein
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | How many valve cover attachment screws does it have? 194, 230, 250, 292 valve cover | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | Distributor is in a different place also. 230/250 is more toward the front of the engine. The 216/235/261 is centered along the side of the engine....
John | | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 19 | Distributor clinches it (far forward) so now Im back to 230 or 250 which honestly Ive never been able to tell apart......Heck from memory isnt the 292 nearly identicle too.
Looks like I will be searching "google images". Thanks | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 | 292 has a taller lifter cover.
Tommy
59 apache 1/2t
261 short stepside
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 |
Good luck easily IDing a 230 vs a 250 from external appearance.
Maybe someone has information on different external ID codes (not crankshaft and rods and piston differences).
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,513 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,513 | This same topic was recently brought up on the inliner's board. The suggestion there was to look in a spark plug hole at the piston top...If dished it's a 250.
1952 1300 Canadian 1/2 ton restomod You Tube | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 | This same topic was recently brought up on the inliner's board. The suggestion there was to look in a spark plug hole at the piston top...If dished it's a 250. Yup, thats about the only way without tearing into it to tell... when you run the codes, they come back as a 230/250... doesn't specify which as both used the same block... just internal differences, as far as I know at least | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | Yeah there aren't many external differences between a 230/250 engine block, at least in the later years. A difference of stroke was about it... Both were good engines.
John | | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 19 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 19 | It was indeed the 250. Engine code confirmed. Thank you | | |
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