The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Correct oil pressure??

I purchased this '52 - 3100 with a 235 engine. From what I can tell by the numbers stamped on it the block is a '54, head is '52. Has been running ok but recently sounds like it's missing occasionally. Has always leaked oil - guessing the rear seal, sometimes I see the valve cover wet by the fire wall, and occasionally a little out of the draft tube. As soon as I start it the gauge pegs to 30lbs. Bought a oil pressure test gauge and it reads 35-38 at idle and 40-45 revving it slightly. This seems high from what I've read. Ideas?? Suggestions??

I have another "new" '54 235 I was planning on putting in this winter.

" . . . the block is a '54, head is '52 . . . "

A 1952 head on a 1954 block is an interesting combination.

1952 - 15 head bolts - 2 rocker arm bolts through the top of the valve cover
1954 - 18 head bolts - usually has a 4 screws around the base of the valve cover

The 1954 engine is a high pressure engine (0-45 psi), 1953 and earlier engines are low pressure engines (0-30 psi).

Post the codes that you find in these locations - on pre-1954 216/235
Post the codes that you find i these locations - on 1954 or later 235/261

Those pressure numbers sound normal for a good condition 54-62 235 with full oil pressure to the connecting rods. The earlier 235's (1941-53) used a different connecting rod lubricating system consisting of spray nozzles that squirt oil into dippers on the bottom of the connecting rods, and do not have pressurized oil passages in the crankshaft. Those engines typically have 0-15 PSI oil pressure at idle, and a really good one might have 20-25 pounds of oil pressure at hot engine cruise conditions. Your pressure is definitely not "too high" for the later model engine.
Jerry

tclederman - This is what the truck had in it when I got it - I'm not super knowledgeable about this but here are the codes ..Also, I was incorrect earlier the head is a 1953 (from my research)

Here's the #'s -
0030392F54Y - engine serial
don't have the block number with me
3701887-gm7 head
b2-887-066-570

Thanks - I didn't realize I could update my gauge with 0-60.

A 1953 15 bolt head will not bolt to a 1954 18 bolt block

"0030392F54Y - engine serial number (pressed into the block)"
F = Flint MI engine plant
54 = 1954
Y = car 235 with RPO 313 (Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission)
This engine would have had hydraulic lifters (no truck engines came with hydraulic lifters).

"don't have the block number with me
3701887-gm7 head"
3701887 = 1953 truck low-pressure 235 head

b2-887-066-570 ??? where did you find that code?

Find a post the head/block casting codes, and date casting codes.

With the date casting codes, we can better date the engine.

How many bolts/nuts/screw are used to attach the valve cover to the block?

In 1953, both low pressure and full pressure 235s had 18 bolt heads. Weird, but true.

Thanks, Carl,

I thought that was only on the 1953 Powerglide 235 head (high pressure engine?).

But, I see in the MPB that the 3701887 1953 head was used on all 1953 235 engines (car and truck).

And (/but), there were two 235 blocks in 1953 (both different from the earlier 1952 low-pressure 235 block and the later 1954 high-pressure block).

3701481 casting code for 1953 Powerglide 235 block
3701946 casting code for 1953 non-Powerglide 235 block (car and truck)

It might seem odd, but I like being corrected on these technical matters, and, I like learning something new about Stovebolt engine history.

(I lead a sad and lonely life.)

I'm still looking for the casting code on the block but the date code is K163.
I need to pull the valve cover to get the date code on the head -- it leaks so bad so I've delayed in doing this. Will do this weekend.

b2-887-066-570 ??? where did you find that code? --- It's on the head between spark plugs 2-3

The valve cover is attached with 2 acorn nuts.

Just fyi - truck vin is 21kp19244