The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Can anybody tell if this is a 216 or 235?

Hello, I just picked up my 1951 Chevy 1 ton, and I'm trying to figure out if this is a 216 or 235. It's got 2 bolts holding the valve cover on but it has short coveRs on the side below the spark plugs. Does that make it a 235 with a 216 head?

[IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e209/sdilecce/Truck/imagejpg6-1.jpg[/IMG]

If it is a Canadian truck engine, Canadians have reported that both 216s and 235s had short valve covers from at least 1950-1953.

If that is correct, the 216 and 235 heads would be the same.

What is the engine serial number and the block casting number.

There is a number visible on the head on the drivers side, on the lower block passenger side on the pad behind the distributor is another. Post those here and one of the casting guru's will tell you what you have.
This is the pad you should find the number on.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/13994062018/in/set-72157631868452754

Up to 1953 the two bolt cover was used on both 216's and 235's.

It is clear you have a 235, looks like a 1953, but a earlier cover will fit the 1954 and later head.

If it is a 1953 it could be either a full pressure or a splash 235.
The crucial thing I would check (A) the casting date above the starter, and (B)check to see if there is a kidney bean shaped cover held on with three screws on the drivers side of the block SEE PIC.

I didn't know 1951 trucks had 90mph speedometers??? John

Looks like a 53 235/with Powerglide engine to me. Look for captains bars on the block above the starter. I have one and it has the same small square pipe plug above the distributor (I do not know if later 235s had it). Also 216s had the coil much closer to the distributor (I don't know anything about Canadian 216 engines).
Carl

It's a Canadian 1430 (3800) truck and it's definatly a 1951 although somone at sometime put a drivers door off a 52 or later. The truck is in Saskatchewan and I will be back next week and get the serial numbers off it then. Seems like the only way to know for sure.

If it is a 1951 Canadian 216, it would have a short side cover (like a 1951 235).

Later 235s/261s also have the plug in the center of the passenger side of the head.

Dave, why is it clear that it is a 235?

Did 1430 (1 ton) 1951 Canadian trucks come with a 235?

1951 USA 3800 trucks came standard with a 216 and the 235 was not an option.

Carl, why does it look like a Powerglide?

Of course, it could be a replacement engine. Castings codes (including date casting codes) and the engine serial number would clear up the speculation.

Tim, I may have misspoke, it could be a 261 with a earlier valve cover.

I can tell by the ribbed cylinder head it is a 18 bolt head, first used in 1953.
I believe Canadian 216's used the 1950-52 235 head. That head can be identified by the smooth contour between #1&2, and 5&6 spark plugs.

Carl, it could be a 1953 PG engine with Captains bars, or a 1953 stick engine which would have the oil distributor on the drivers side and no Captains Bars.

Good morning! I have a 39-53 Canadian truck parts manual. It looks to me like a '51 1400 series would come with a 216 until 1953 when they would have a 235.

Also, I would think that this parts manual would be able to identify the engine with a casting number.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p195/BassBucket/52%20GMC/cabd5eaa-5eac-471c-80d5-8fae03f75847.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p195/BassBucket/52%20GMC/20140806_163133.jpg

Here are some other views. view 2
view 3
view 4
view 5
view 6

It has the exact same air cleaner as my 1951 1 Ton. I think the side brace for it is still there. The carburetor appears to be the early design too with the thinner lip on the cover.

Yes please. Any information you could give me would be great. I will check the numbers as soon as I get back home. My first thought when I bought it was to put in a small block chevy, but now I am going to see just what condition the six is in and go from there. If it is a 235 or a , and it is useable without too much money I think I will keep the six .

Is your engine a 215 or a 235. I thought GMC had their own engines?

Although the oil distributor (or lack of it) isn't visible in any of the pictures I'm gonna bet it's a 216 due to the thin air horn casting and wide belt.

Stove - hang on to that book as I never had any luck finding the casting number from the 216 that was in my truck when I got it.

Fred - that filter housing was pretty standard on Canadian trucks. It was made by Donaldson and a repop sticker is actually available somewhere as they were used on other equipment such as tractors.

USA 216/235 engine comments/observations:

The oil distributor is not enough to ID it as a 216 - 235s had the oil distributor up to 1953.

216s had a narrow belt in 1953.

As pre68 Dave noted, that is not a 216 head. It is either a 235 head or a 261 head.
Sdilecce,
my engine is the original 216. Yours is not a 216 and would not be original to the truck but you might think of it as an upgrade.

So the engine casting number is 5845363 . From what I can see online it is a 1954 passenger car 235 power glide engine.

Wait to hear from someone else, but I also think that is a 1954 235 engine from a passenger car with Powerglide.