The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235/261 Another engine ID ?

With the fine help on the forums I have successfully brought back an older 235 engine back to life. I am now getting ready to work on another engine and need some Identification help . It was sold as an original 1956 engine from a 3100 pick up.
ID casting numbers Con 3 L65

009076 IF56 X (stamped on machined plate left of distributor)
My guess is Flint Michigan 1956 3100

Other casting # below distributor 3837004 (the third # looks a little suspect but that`s how these old eyes see it.)

16 bolt head. #3836848
Was just wondering how they differentiated 235`s from 261`s as they both appeared to be made during this time period. Interested at this point to see if it was possibly a 261 I purchased or if its the 235. Also wondering if this would be solid lifters as the stock set up. I can always pull the side cover and disassemble a rocker and pull the pushrod to see for sure. Any help appreciated.

3837004 - 1955-1953 Powerglide-equipped car 235 engine (hydraulic lifters).

"848" heads were used from 1956 onwards.

head & block date casting-code locations are shown here

Per our own forum member tclederman website, your 235 engine block was made from 1955 thru 1957 and your head was made from 1956 thru 1962. There is a date code on both the engine block and the head that would help narrow it down. The block code id behind the starter and the head date code is under the rocker.

Here is a [LINK] to his website.

looks like a 1956 235 truck engine (serial # includes X for truck as per the website both 235 car and truck engines for 1956.) Were truck engines also equipped with hydraulic lifters or just the cars with hydramatic tranny`s?... thanks

They did not put hydraulic lifters in trucks only cars.

Did you locate the date codes. That would pinpoint what year it was cast. They will look like B206, F19, E125. The first digit will be the month represented by a letter (A thru L). The next would be the day, which can be 1 or 2 digits and the last would be the year. They only use 1 digit and repeat every 10 years. So in the examples I have given, B206 would be February 20, 1956 (could be 46 or 66 but we already narrowed it down to mid fifties or early sixties). In the second example F19 would likely be June 1, 1959 and E125 would likely be May 12, 1955.

Let us know how you made out or if you have any other questions.

L 65 so December 6th 1955 the block was cast. I will be working on getting it ready to start and check compression,etc. thanks for all the help.

If you haven't seen it
Pre 68 Dave has a great blog
http://chev235guy.blogspot.com/