The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What do I have?

I thought all flat six`s had the dual inspection covers over the pushrods? Mine has one long rectangular piece almost as long as the block. Same as the valve cover, it has just the two bolts on top. Someone want to school a newbie on these engines? I want to buy a gasket set, just want to confirm what year and size I have. Where to look for numbers on the block would be helpful. Thanks,Darcy

Darcy,

Post the engine serial number that is pressed into the block, just to the rear of where the distributor goes into the block. That should tell us the year and size of engine.

Some Canadian engine side covers were a little different from USA engines, depending on the year/engine.

The single long side cover was used on 216s and some 235s in USA. The two-bolt valve cover was used through 1953.

Thanks. I`ll get the numbers in the morning. This motor seemed partially stuck. Pulled the valve cover and had a stuck valve. Pulled the head and the rear piston is wonky. I can move the engine back and forth abit and it only moves slightly. If I push on the top the rear piston, it goes down to a stopping point while the other pistons don`t move. Almost like a broken rod. HMMMM, time to swap to plan B and put this truck on a s-10 frame and power plant.

It is kind of odd how they mix engines around anymore in terms.
I had always knew an overhead valve 6 as an I-6 (216, 235, 261 ect....) An L-6 was a flat head engine or one having the valves in the block (Ford 226, Nash 172, Chrysler engines 207, 217, 230, 236, 250, 256 and 264 6 cylinders and others such as Hudson, Studebaker ect....) Then of course you had the F head engines such as Willys' F-134, F-148, F-161 which had the exhaust valve in the block and the intake in the head.
Anymore an L-6 seems to be any inline 6 cylinder engine and an F6 is a flathead.... Times change I guess....:-)

John

John, you are correct in the use of the terms. Let's keep it that way. I heads are either conventional or overhead cam. The F head was a cross between the I and L, and last used in the 1971 Jeep. The L head has the valves in the block, hence the "flathead" which only had the combustion chambers. It dropped out of production here in the '60s. There obviously cannot be an F6 flathead!

Hi Darcy. The 216 that came with my '52 GMC truck had a short side cover, and I swapped to a 216 from a Chevy '51 car that has a tall side side cover. Both engines have 2 valve cover bolts.

Thanks. I was so used to my 50 dodge that had the different six in it. Anyhow, this one needs coin which I will put into going to plan B....frame swap.