The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What engine do I have?

I purchased a 47 3600 fresh off the farm truck. It has not ran in many years. I have been looking for a five window truck with the original motor and running gear. The engine has two grooves down the length of the rocker cover and Chevrolet is scripted with raised lettering down the center. After looking at Utube of different engines I'm thinking it is not the 216 that it is suppose to have. The stamped number behind the distributor is F616K from what I can tell. It looks more like a 235 than 216.

Looks like a 1956-62 235 or 261 to me. Find the casting number near the fuel pump. The casting date is behind the starter.

Sure looks like a later 235...(short tappet cover, perimeter rocket cover, carb inlet inboard).

I'd try to get it running. But then, I just enjoy the challenge.

As posted above by Paul: find and post :
- head casting code
- head date casting code
- block casting code
- block date casting code
- engine serial number

Before the numbers come out ,I will say it’s a car engine (auto choke),(starter solinoid)and about 1959-62 .May be possible 50/50 that it has a 261.

Here's your engine code break down...since there is no serial number shown that make it a 1957 or newer engine.

F616K

F = Flint engine plant
6 = Month (June)
16 = Day
K = Type Designation (K for 1957 = 261 from a 6000 Series truck, K for 1958 and '59 = 235 from a 3400, 3500 or 3700 Forward Control/Double Duty Chassis, K for 1960-62 = 235 from a P20/P30)

Need the cast date code from the passenger side of the engine to confirm the year.

Mike B

I took some pictures of the engine numbers: behind fuel pump, behind starter, rt side of head, left side of head.

I added some more pictures

58-62 235

Looks to be a 235

The block date code - three numbers after the E, the last of which is either an 8 or a 9, hard for me to see - would indicate a '58 or '59 block. As Mike B posted, the K suffix in the engine number decodes it as a Thriftmaster 235, truck engine. Unless it has been modified when rebuilt, it would have solid valve lifters.

Doug

That number is E239. So its a 59 235? It has a 12 volt generator and I have not cleaned up the starter enough to see what it is.

Lumber',

Yes, that date code translates to May 23rd, 1959. The stamped engine number ending in K indicates it was a Thriftmaster 235, truck block, yes. The '848 head casting is consistent with that as original fitment, although that was the common 235 head from '56-'62/63, so it's hard to say if that is original. But it is "correct" for that engine. There is a date code cast in the head, but the valve cover needs to be removed to see it (about 2/3s of the way back on the driver's side of the head, under the V/C).

Doug

The fact that there are 'side motor mounts' makes it a '58 and up 235 and NOT the '57 261...also confirmed by others with the date code.

Mike B