The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Identify chev 6

Hi,

Just pulled the 6 out of my '53 chev 1100 series truck, and am not quite sure what it is... Has the rocker cover with 2 bolts thru center, and the tappet cover is a one piece and is on the block only... The # stamped into the block behind the distributor is T73-5213. Any help much appreciated,

Thanks,

Matt

Sounds like a 235, but the stamped number appears to be a replacement or remanufactured block stamping if US block, or it may just be a Canadian block, which used a different sequence numbering system (likely, given your location). I don't have much info on the Canadian block engine numbers, but someone else may. It also seems to me (foggy memory) that some Canadian 216s may have used the shorter side cover... others will know.

Next best bet is to look for the block casting number, low and in front of the distributor, passenger side.

A bit more info on the block date can be found in the cast date code behind and slightly above the starter. It will start with something like CON 3 (ignore) then a letter number sequence, which is the date code. Letter for the month, next one or two digits for day of the month, and last number the last number of the year cast (eg, a last digit 3 would indicate a '53 casting date).

Doug

There were some oddball engines in 53- - - -a hydraulic lifter 235 with a short pushrod cover and a cylinder head that will fit the later model 235's, for instance. Pull the valve cover and count the number of cylinder head bolts, but pulling the cylinder head and measuring the bore and stroke is the only way to be sure which engine you've got. A 216 has a 3 1/2" bore and a 3 3/4" stroke, while a 235 has a 3 9/16" bore and a 3 15/16" stroke. The 235 block is also about 1/8" taller than the 216 from the oil pan rail to the top of the block.
Jerry

Hy 40_chevy, 1953 appears to be the year that the 235 replaced the 216 across all the sizes of Chevrolet trucks, at least in Canada, so I suspect you have a 235. As drdoug has said your block casting and date code will go a long way to helping identify what engine you have, good luck with your search.

it sounds like you should expect to find this combination in your truck
block: 5843350 head: 3701887

does the engine serial match the one on the vin tag in the door?
the engine block number is next to the fuel pump in raised cast numbers
please let us know
-s

Thanks all for the quick replies.

I did not see anything beside the starter. (Maybe have to revove starter to see this?) The engine # on the data tag, drivers door post is an exact match (well, T73-5213 vs T735213) so this is the original engine to my canadian model 1100 (specifically model 1143, a 14,000 gvw truck)

The casting number on the block, forward of the fuel pump is GM 5843350. Casting number on the head is GM 3701887.

It'a a 235

https://hotrod.gregwapling.com/chev-trucks-47-55/canadian-chev.html

Perfect, thanks! Ton of info on that site. I hadn't seen that one before.

Gord&Fran, was that was your good looking truck going up Keparo a while back?

Hi Matt. Yes, it was our truck. I didn't know you were a member here until today.

It's strange thing about the Canadian engine serial numbers. Some start with T and some start with C. (Tonawanda/Canada? Truck/Car?) Somebody might know...

Yep "T" = Truck, C = Car

Maybe Chevrolet, or Truck...? I went out and checked the '52 9700 GMC, and it is Canadian made but neither a T or C engine, It is a G. (# G38211) it is the GM built engine for the 3 ton. (248ci)

Yep, member for a little while now. Sent the first email to the stovebolt site back in June 2000, when the '40 first hit the road and made the trek from Saskatchewan to Mill bay.

I have seen X C and T used if there is a letter prefix
I thought I read someplace it was just so you knew the intended purpose of the engine if it had been removed from the truck later on
These prefixes were for 3/4 or 1 ton and up and the half ton and car didn’t have any or used different prefixes ?
But who knows, we need a time machine or someone has to find a dusty book
-s

Oh I just remembered X may have been reserved for fixing mistakes when stamping
One of my trucks has an X for this reason and you can see it over another character.
-s

I have this written in some notes but I can’t find my original source,so take it for what it’s worth, C light commercial, X 216 truck, T 235 truck. My 52 216 is an X.

Yes, that makes sense. Looking at the web page I linked above: