The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop It's not a 216 it's a 235!

I bought a replacement engine today. I was a little unhappy about paying $250 for a 216 and I had to travel 45 minutes to pick it up.

But when I got there I noticed the valve cover had 4 screws in addition to the 2 acorn nuts. And the compression was 120 psi. So I'm pretty sure this is a 235 and not a 216. So now I'm happy.

The block and head are painted blue. And there's no serial number next to the distributor, so I'm thinking the block must be a replacement.

The block has casting number 5843350 and the head has 3836848.

I have not seen that block casting code on any list.
Maybe someone else has info?

Post the head and block casting codes from the locations shown here - high-pressure 235/261 codes.

Anything with an 848 head has to be 18 bolt, so not a 216.

There is no casting number between the distributor and the crankcase vent. I do not see and date markings either.

The only marking is the casting number above, and it is located in front of the fuel pump.

There are threaded holes for the side engine mounts, which would make sense if this is a replacement block. There is no oil pressure valve either.

Search of the block number in that mysterious site called "Stovebolt" indicates that it is a Canadian 1953 235.
Kent

No date marking at the location shown on the head?
(it is under the valve cover)

Perhaps Canadian casting codes are in different locations.
Maybe someone has info on the Canadian casting codes?

I'll let you know after I pull the valve cover.

Many thanks for your help. It's a '53!

That same page with Canadian codes indicates an "848" head with a 1954 (or, 1964) date casting code.

I wouldn't trust that "stovebolt site," Kent ... I've heard the people who run it are goofy ...

"Goofy" is in the eye of the beholder. This past weekend I beheld, first hand goofiness, as well as one instance of extreme dickishness by one now famous, and somehow infamous at the same time, member.
I also observed a whole bunch of unselfish comradery among a bunch of fellers who know what they are talking about.

The date marking is D-25-7 so I suppose the head was built on July 25, 1954. Yee haw!

" . . . D-25-7 so I suppose the head was built on July 25, 1954"

Nope : April 25th 1957? (maybe Canada does the date sequence differently, but I doubt that . . ?)

Same block casting as mine, I have a different head, though. I only have the 2 acorns.

What is your head casting code & head date casting code, Lindsey?

I can't remember if I found any date casting codes when I looked in the falltime, only the serial number. It doesn't match what's on the door frame so I'm assuming it's a replacement. Block casting is 5843350 and head is 3701887.

Ah, I got it backward. April 25th 1957. Thanks.

This came out of a '51 chevy 1/2 ton, so it seems the head, block and truck were mixed-n-matched.

Both are 1953 Canadian codes, Lindsey

Door frame says engine should be S/N C663690 and S/N C673037 is what's installed which seems very close.

Oh and mine is also painted blue, not grey.

Yes, and the truck has the 60psi gauge.

Very interesting, thanks so much.

What is the oil pressure of a 235? My gauge only goes up to 30 I think.

It depends on the year of your 235.

What year did all Canadian 235s change to high pressure?

USA truck 235s changed to the high pressure in 1954.

From what I've read, the 1953 Canadian GMC half tons (labelled as 9300 series - mine specifically is a 9314) got the high pressure Chevrolet 235. Maybe we were the guinea pigs....

Never saw a valve cover with 4 screws and acorn nuts on top. I would like to see a picture of that. Not that I doubt what you wrote, I'm trying to visualize it. The 216 style cover with 2 studs coming thru the top has stiffening ribs formed in the top and sides of the cover to add strength. The 4 screw type do not have those same ribs.

Frank50,

In addition to your comments, "The 216 style cover with 2 studs coming thru the top has stiffening ribs formed in the top and sides of the cover to add strength. The crew type do not have those same ribs." : I think that the the 2-stud USA valve cover does not have a lip around the bottom. A lip would be needed for the 4 side-screws on the "double-duty Canadian valve cover?

It would be very interesting to see that Canadian valve cover - I do not doubt Lindsey's statement - GM/Chevrolet/GMC Canada was somewhat independent/different from GM/Chevrolet USA in its use of Chevrolet & GMC engines.

I'd like to see it as well. I'm assuming mine is just the standard 2 acorn nut style....... Here's a pic of ours right after we bought it.

You can put a 2-acorn nut valve cover on a later, 4 hole head. You just need the earlier extra long rocker arm studs from the earlier engine.

Stove,

Please post/attach a photo of the valve cover, showing two side-screws and the top nuts.
And/or post a photo from the top, showing all attachment hardware.

If you are unable to attach a photo, if you mail photos to me, I'll attach them here.

It sounds like you have a very interesting valve cover.

Thanks,
Tim

Pictures of the valve cover are attached. I think it is just a normal valve cover with 2 holes drilled in the top. I can attach pictures of the rocker arm studs, acorns nuts and screws. tomorrow if there is interest.

Also attached is my existing 216 engine since we are looking at valve cover pics.

Sideview

Topview

Holes

Chromed 216

Yes, that is a 1955-2nd or later 235/261 valve cover that has been drilled for the earlier 2-bolt attachment.

The 235 valve cover again changed in the late 50s to have the oil filler in the middle of the top of the valve cover (maybe in 1958?).

Shouldn't the valve cover have a breather cap on it? Looks like the road draft tube is still there and not converted to PCV system.

Good observations:

Yes, unless there was/is a PVC set-up.

PVC was not standard equipment on all/many trucks, especially small trucks.

Due to the lack of reinforcing ribs, that cover will leak like crazy unless it's glued down with some sort of high tech moose juice. Then every time the valves need adjusting, you'll have to go through the same leak-stopping procedure all over again.
Jerry

I don't see why it would leak without reinforcing ribs. It is held down with 4 screws, that should be better than two nuts. I am guessing the two holes were drilled in the top because the wrong rocker arm studs were used.

Jerry, are you saying even with the 4 screws, the two nuts will warp the cover and cause it to leak? Maybe I will go with a normal 216 cover instead.

If the four screws are used on the sides then you should be fine. If only top two nuts were holding it then there wouldn't be enough pressure to clamp the gasket into place.

That cover does not have a Chevrolet script on it. The only factory original 4 screw covers that I have ever seen with out a script are from Canadian pontiacs. I have one. The entry level motor for the 55-62? Canadian Pontiac passenger cars was essentially a 55-58 bypass style 261 Chevy truck block. Those motors used a plain valve cover. With the exception of the chrome aftermarket covers currently on the market, the Pontiac motors were the only chevy based motors that I have seen with that kind of plain cover. So it looks to me like it’s a Canadian cover modified to fit an early head motor or a later head with the early stud arrangement installed.

If it's got perimeter screws, no problem. Somebody just ruined the cover by drilling it for the early model rocker stand studs instead of installing the proper bolts in the head and eliminating the studs.
Jerry