The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Another Block Code

Pretty sure I have a 53-235 engine block from a Flint Plant. Block casting is LAY 537525 and 37001481. I don't know what LAY stands for? Any ideas. Thanks

Here is GM/Chevrolet 1953 vehicles/engines ID information.

Might that 37001481 be 3701481?

3701481 was a 1953 Powerglide 235 block (used in Powerglide equipped cars and Corvettes).

I have never seen a 235 with engine serial number LAY, and that code isn't in the service bulletin Tim posted, nor is it in the Vehicle Info Kit (original '53 Chevy factory specs and info) at the GM Heritage Center website. ( L- decodes to '53, A - decodes to regular service, and most RPO PG full-pressure 235s with block 3701481 have for the third letter either Q or rarely S, which designated power steering - both manufactured in the Tonawanda plant).

But searching elsewhere, LAY appears to be the code used for the '53 Corvette engine (full pressure 235, Powerglide, solid lifters/261 cam, etc). Scroll down at this link..

Nice find if that is correct!

Thanks for the info. LAY 537525 is clearly stamped. Guess I'll give it extra attention when servicing...

If possible please post/attach an photo of the Engine Serial Number "LAY 537525".

That is not a "casting" code. Casting codes are cast into the block when the block was cast at the engine factory.
You Block Casting Code and a Block Casting Date are identifiers of the block.

That "LAY" Engine Serial Number code was stamped (by a human being) into the block of the engine when it's original vehicle was being assembled. It was not uncommon for the human to use an incorrect die/stamp for a letter that looked like the correct letter.

I took photo of engine block stamp, however I'm not computer savy enough on how to transfer photo to this post. If I can find someone to assist, I'll send you a photo. Thanks

Use the full editor when you post (bottom of the text input box on Quick Reply), then click the attachment manager (left of the Post Reply button). You can drag photos from your computer into the attachment box. Pretty easy.

attachment manager[img]https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/21524/filename/Engine block LAY537525.JPG[/img]

J 5 3 behind the starter is the block cast date code

J = October

5 = Day

3 = Year (1953)

Mike B

There were only 300 '53 Corvettes made. You have an engine from one of those!
I would not install that in a truck.
There are only 225 '53 Corvettes known to survive. I bet one of those guys would pay a pretty penny for a correct '53 Corvette engine.

On Ebay right now, something has a 235 from a Corvette and they are asking almost $25K. Definitely not an engine that I'd put in a truck.

Grateful for all the info regarding engine. Engine is in a 50 tin woody that I have restored. Had to replace the head because it was cracked, but crank, cam remains stock. How I have something to add to my conversations regarding the wagon!!

50wudy,

What is a tin woody (wagon?)?

Year, make, model?

Is it on a truck chassis or on a car chassis?

Carl you may be right, they made the last 1953 Corvette Christmas eve of 1953, number 300, however the stamping looks different for the alpha numbers versus the numerics. It is not unheard of people re-stamping blocks to increase the value of their otherwise very limited production vehicles. To me this looks like a re-stamp though.

Look at this 1953 of my Chevy 3100, see how the numbers and letters are similar?

Tim, my guess is he’s working on a Station Wagon and being sneaky about it since it’s not a truck.

Tim, a "tin woody" is a passenger car station wagon with imitation wood sides. They started with real wood in early 1949 then switched to all steel making them thru 1953.

Mike B

Wrong forum, I guess?

Sorry guys...I thought the forum was for any and all Stovebolt engines and that it was OK to ask questions regarding those engines. Did not realize it was "exclusive" for stovebolt trucks. I won't post in the future. I appreciate those that did respond to my questions, though. Thanks, again.

You can ask any engine related question you have concerning your “Stovebolt” engine. The problem arose when you mentioned “Woody” and we all knew immediately you were working on a car. The site in general is for Chevy/GMC Trucks. Go ahead and hang around you might be able to share some much needed engine info in the future.

Point taken about re-stamping numbers, but in order to do that, one would need to machine the block to pull that off. The flat section where this stamp goes extends to beyond the distributor. If you look at Woody's pic, you can see that the Octane Selector indicator line is still there on the block.
Unless the block is a regular run of the mill replacement block which arrived without a stamp to begin with, then one could stamp it with whatever number of their choice.
As far as the type of stamp used on the Corvette, one would need to see a verified Corvette block for comparison.