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My '51 Chevy 2 door has the following numbers,
Block: GM (dist.) 3738307
Head : B3948850
Date?: F 4 8, between starter and block
Can anyone tell me the year, size, type rod bearings, etc. on this motor?
Thanks for all the good advice,
Trapper

It is a 235, the rod bearings are inserts, not babbit. Year is about 1958, but I am not sure of that.

Good info, thanks, now, this motor has the old 216 style valve cover with the two studs in the top of the valve cover. Is this a retrofit or did the '58's come this way. I did notice 4 tapped holes in the head when I replaced the valve cover gasket recently so I guess a later model VC would fit? This motor has Fentons and an Offy two carb manifold also. The carbs are Rochesters but I don't know what models. I bought two Echlin kits from the parts house. This motor is way too rich, any advice on jetting or setting up these carbs to be a little more lean?
Trapper

Someone tried to disquise the 235 as the original 216. How about the side cover, a 216's goes from where the distributor enters the block to the bottom of the valve cover. A 235's is half the height. But again, someone could have changed that out to disquise it.
I will defer to someone more experienced with those carbs to give advice.

I don't think the side covers interchange do they?

Someone told me that about the side covers, I think it would involve changing heads, so it probably is not easy to interchange the side covers.

The side cover goes only half way up but the bosses are in the block and head, just not drilled and tapped for the bolts. Looks pretty good with the old valve cover in chrome and the two carbs with chrome filters on top. Still need help with these carbs and jetting if anyone can pass info along to the right person.

I don't know if this proper to give this info...but forgive me if I step on any boundaries, On inliners.org under tech articles or whatever, there is an article on setting up that very combination.