The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Engine ID

Checking out the engine that came in my 49 chevy 3600. It is a later engine, I'm guessing it's a 235 from mid 50's but don't know. I found these numbers behind the starter ( CONT A 54 ) . The numbers behind the distributor read ( 0184775 F54X ). The number on the side of the head read (B10 919 241. 570 ) . On top side of head along the edge of the valve cover it's stamped (3835913 GM ). Anyone know what I have for sure here? Didn't see any captain bars anywhere on it. Thanks George

Engine serial number 0184775 F54X breaks down as follows;

0184775 = unit number

F = Flint engine plant

54 = 1954

X = 3100 truck

Mike B

Thanks Mike , that the way I figured it too. Just wanted to be sure that was right.

George,

Mike has confirmed what you asked-for/needed.

Here are a few other "decodings":

CONT A54 (most likely CON # A54 ?)
CON # = the engine plant conveyor #
A = month = January
5 = day = 5th
4 = year = 1954

Under the valve cover, "above" the head casting code, 3835913, is the head date casting code. That code was used on various 1954/55 car and truck 235 engines.

Between/below the holes in the block for the road draft tube and the distributor should be the block casting code?

I am not certain where the 235 "captain bars" were located for 1954 235s?
Here is the location on a 1960 261.

Regarding captain bars on 235s, here is information from Jim Carter (others have reported "261 captain bars" on some/all 1953/54 235 engines?)

"Watch for the "Captain's Bars!" The 261 has two pairs of parallel raised 3/4 inch long bars cast in the block. This is not seen on a 235 except 1954. One pair is above the starter and the second pair is at the top middle of the left side of the block very close to the head. See photos below. The one exception is the early 261 produced in 1954 to mid 1955. It has only one "Captain Bar" above the starter but keeps the pair on the left side."

Thanks for the info Tim, I have three old Chevys and I'm still one engine short. I am putting this 235 in the '49 3600, putting a 292 in the '49 4400 truck , and would like to find an early 261 for the '48 3800 1 ton. Been checking old barns and salvage yards.

KingG,

If you cannot find an early 261 (1955st or earlier?), the later 261s with the lower water pump can be somewhat easily adapted/converted to use a water pump from your year and in the correct location. Some of the later 261s (59-63?) need to have front motor mount holes drilled into the plate behind the camshaft, but this is not difficult to do.

Heres a mind number...from the casting on this block its a 1952 (CON1 J42 3835692) but when i cleared off the gunk from the serial number i found a double stamp. I've attached the pic for it.

It looks like to me, its: HEA6993894 but someone stamped over it with: B 11660

Thoughts? Ideas? really weird.

Rusty,

HEA = 1950 235

B whatever may have been added by a rebuilder.

Do either of these numbers appear on your title?

Mike B

The 50-52 235's are unique. They have a different head than earlier and later 235's. Between spark plugs 1 and 2 is a large flat/ slightly curved area. Same between 5 and 6. It also has 15 bolt holes. All 53 and later 235 heads have 18 bolt holes and are interchangeable, with due consideration given to lifters, push rods and rocker arms... The 50-52 engines, and 53 non-Powerglide engines, are "low oil pressure engines" with babbited rods, dippers and oil nozzles to oil the rods - no oil pressure to rod journals.

Hails Mike, nope, nothing on the title. I do suspect it was rebuilt and i think you are onto something there, it may have been stamped at that point. Maybe even it didn't pass QA at some point and was put back on the line for re-work?

Well its on the frame/chassis now and its starting to come together.