The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop The 235 Engine in a '53 truck

Everything (or much of) what I've read about the Chevy 235 engine over the years tells me that the manufacturer did not install them in trucks for year 1953. Many listings I see for parts, service, manuals, etc., continue to place the old babbit pounding 216 in this truck. However, I have a 1953 3100 of which I am the second owner, the first being my Great Grandfather, and it most certainly has the 235 engine indeed - not the 216. I have the original title, and I've run the engine number. It's definitely a 235. My question...is this the same 235 that was being installed in cars at the time? Was the 235 an option for the half ton pickups in early 1953 ?? Thanks in advance for accurate information.

235s were installed in large trucks in 1953.

The truck 216 & 235 were (low pressure) babbitted rod engines in 1953.

What is your engine serial number? It is pressed into the block to the rear of the distributor.

There were two types of 235s installed in in cars in 1953. A low-pressure and a high-pressure version.

A 235 was not an option in 3100 series trucks in 1953.

I believe the '53 car powerglide/automatic was the high pressure 235 if I remember correctly meaning it had insert bearings.

According to Patrick Antique catalogue, the 235's with the 2-hole valve cover, were the very first full oil pressure engine and were the 1953 Power Glides.

The '53 Powerglide 235 crankshaft will not accept a stock pilot bearing, since a Powerglide doesn't use a pilot bearing.. There is somewhere (I don't recall where) that sells one that works, or one can have the crankshaft end precision drilled to the correct diameter to accept a stock pilot bearing.
(Just in case anyone gives two spits...)
Carl

The better way to state what I think you want to get across is that the first high-pressure 235 was the one used in the 1953 Powerglide engine. The valve cover on that 235 had the same 2-hole valve cover as used on all 215s and on all 1953 and earlier 235s.

I have seen what I think was an original low pressure 235 in a 1953 1/2 Ton panel. The head was compatible with all the later 235s except it didn't have the four mounting holes for the valve cover.

It would be interesting to see the engine serial number - in that year, the ID contained date information and information designating the vehicle it which that engine was first installed.

There was no Chevrolet truck option for the high-pressure 235 in 1953. The first-year high-pressure 235 supposedly only came as standard equipment in 1953 Powerglide-equipped cars and it came as the standard engine in the 1953 Corvette - the Blue Flame Six.

My 49 3/4 tn longbed is an old San Joquin valley Frankenstein farm truck, so what is original on it is very difficult to determine. In 1977 or so I got a rebuilt from Verbecks, in L.A. It was supposed to be a 216 with a 235 head. It has the serial number GEA 104589. The block # is 3693374 head is 3886848, with 2valve coverbolts. I has an oil pump, no filter. The engine was a true beast. I may still have it rebuilt. Last year I installed a 55 235. I hope to be back on the road very soon. I am lost without KHardy. Ithiught I knew what I had, now I do not. Still fun.

O>K>, plus this...Why would a 1949 3600 have a oil pressure gage on the dash if it were a babbit, unless it was not a 49?

Keith's website is back up.

GEA was a 1949 235 Engine Serial Number code.
GEA indicated 1949 235 installed in a 6702, or 6100, or 6400 series large truck.

I cannot find that block casting code.

Could the head casting code be 3836848? (there was no 3886848 head)
That would be a 56-62 235 head.
It would have a 4-screw valve cover.

Take off your valve cover and see if there are 4 screw holes for the newer style valve cover.

It is easy to change two rocker arms posts on a 4-screw head and then use the older style 2-post valve cover.

There was a dash oil pressure gauge for all 47-55 Chevrolet trucks (no matter what engine).

Thank you for helping me see.
3835517 is the head casting number of the 235 head I had installed on a remacd from Verbeck, which has the block number 3693374 and serial number GEA104589.

I happen to have the sales receipt for the remacd engine. It indicates I purchased a 235t short block for $285.56. Dated November 24, 1975.

Oh yeah, You are correct..383 not 388.

The block I replaced in 75' had a freeze crack in the block. I was told the cracked block was a 216, with a 235 head. I guess they did that for a little more horsepower in the day.
Thank you again for the light.

The head is a 2-holer.

Nice price - for today.

Hold everything.

The cast date is L104...Dec 10, 1954
The valve cover plate on the side extends from distributor ledge upwards to above the spark plugs. A sure 216? and then, It has an oil pump and sump screen appliance. The presence of the oil pump indicates to me this is a factory engine., but not a babbit, and maybe low pressure in a 216? But it is more like a hybrid...I mean, a 216 in 1954?...and the receipt says 235t. It is handwritten, not computer. I mighta overpaid.

Patrick's says 3701946 Is a Babbit in 1953.

3701946 is a low pressure 1953 truck block.

"The presence of the oil pump indicates to me this is a factory engine., but not a babbit, and maybe low pressure in a 216?"

?? all 216/235 (and, 261) engines had an oil pump

You might be referring to the oil distributor on the middle of the block under the middle of the manifolds? That would have been used on low-pressure 216/235 engines.

Pre '68 Dave (or others) will have to confirm about babbitted rods being used through 1953 on which engines (car/truck, 216/235).

1953 was an oddball transition-year for Chevrolet 6-cylinder engines.

That engine might be one that has the captain's bars on the manifold side of the block like a 261, but it wouldn't have them in front of the starter...just on the one side. The captain's bars can be deceiving because when you spot them, you get excited that you've come across a 261 then get disappointed to discover it is a low pressure 235.

Matt

Poured Babbitt rods were used through 1953 on 216's and 235's, except the 1953 Powerglide engine which had inserts, and full pressure oiling to the rods.

1953 is an interesting year.
In 1953 light trucks and the Sedan Delivery used the 216 engine. Large trucks and passenger cars with 3 speed transmissions used a 235 engine similar to the 1950-1952 Powerglide
engine except that it did not have hydraulic lifters.
1953 passenger cars with Powerglide transmissions had a “breakthrough” engine. This 235 engine can be considered as the first of the modern era. The important features of this engine were:
Full pressure lubrication
Hydraulic valve lifters
Insert rod and main bearings
Aluminum pistons

The 1953 Powerglide engine also was the first engine to wear the Captain Bars.
I believe the Captain Bars were put on the Powerglide engine to make identification of the PG engine over the stick engine easy at the factory. Both stick engines and Powerglide engines used the same head. Stick engines had an oil distributor on the drivers side, PG engines had nothing. But identifying the engine from the passenger side needed something special. I believe this is the reason for the Captain Bars above the starter.
Starting in 1954 all 235's were full pressure, but the new 261 engine came on the scene. Chev now needed a way to identify the 261 from the 235, so they switched the Captain Bars over to the 261. In the 261's case the Captain Bars were put on both sides of the engine.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

My 1953 low pressure 235 is a 3701946 block, however it has the boss holes on each side for the car engine mounts. I actually had to 'drill' the two front mounting holes to install it. Unless all blocks came with the boss holes for the car mounts, I would question if a 3701946 block is only a 'truck block'.

"I would question if a 3701946 block is only a 'truck block'."

You might be correct about that, Big Tee

I'll confirm whether a low-pressure 235 was available as an option in non-Powerglide 1953 cars.

The "Thrift King" 235 engine was avalable for 1953 cars.
It had babbitted rod bearings (in car & truck).

Thanks for the clarification/question, Big T

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/53034.htm

Truckernix seeing that you are from Canada, that 53 panel you saw would have had a high pressure 235 with aluminum pistons and the 2 bolt valve cover. Canadian chev and gmc trucks got the new high pressure 235 in 1953, there was some early in the year that still got the 216.

Thanks for that very interesting information, justmike

justmike,
that is interesting information, thanks. What a scrambled period for the engineering folks at GM!

The engine that I saw was the one that 1953panel (Leo) originally had in his truck when he bought it. It is a US truck and his mechanic advised him to replace it with a full pressure model which ended up being a 261.

Sorry folks, been sleeping a few weeks...
The serial number for my engine in this truck is 0463579T54Z; according to the information available on this very forum site, this means it is a 1954 engine. It would have to be, wouldn't it. The truck was reportedly bought in early 1954 by My Great Grandfather, as a new "leftover" that the dealership in Wilmington NC still had on the lot. He drove it until his death in 1972. It was parked in a barn for the next 28 years until his son (My grandfather) passed away in year 2000. I acquired ownership at that time, and began restoration after moving it to my home 200 west to Charlotte. I drive it occasionally. I am baffled as to the presence of the engine in what is clearly a 1953 AD style 3100 pickup. I am grateful for having it over the 216, but remain baffled as to what its doing in my truck since it was not an option. ANy insight appreciated.

T54Z
T = Tonawanda engine plant
54 =1954 (duh)
Z = 235 car engine with mechanical lifters (like the truck engine)

It looks like you have a replacement engine?

Not surprising, if the truck was driven until 1972.

Yes, indeed I believe it is a replacement. Thanks for all the valuable input.