A friend gave me what is essentially a complete engine several years ago. I have had it in dry storage for all the time that I've had it. The engine is disassembled (head and manifold, valve cover and oil pan off, crank still in the engine). Without having to move tons of stuff to get to the side of the block to get numbers, I have found the numbers on the cylinder head and the manifold. I am trying to find out if it is, as I think it is, a 216. The numbers on the cylinder head are outside of the valve cover seat---2194819 with an X underneath. The manifold carries the number2190407 with a P above it. The motor mount is still mounted on the front, which leads me to think 216. Any info that you can provide will be appreciated.
If you can get to it to measure cylinder bore, the 216 has 3 1/2" bore. 235 is 3 9/!6. 216 intake manifold has a "D" shaped cross section, while 235 intake is round circular tube. 216 right side pushrod cover goes all the way up to the rocker cover, while with most 235's the side cover stops at the head leaving head visible. Although there were some early 235s with the tall cover, so this wouldn't be a 100% reliable indicator. Most 235's rocker cover is secured by 4 screws in the base. 216 rocker cover is secured by two studs in the top middle; with no screws in the base. Again, some early 235 covers secured with two center studs, so it's not a conclusive way to tell.
Matthew 6:33
1952 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100 Late '55 235/SM420/torque tube 3.55 Dalton Highway survivor (using original 216) www.truckwithaheart.com
Might be a GMC engine. 2194819 Is one of their cylinder head numbers used on the 248 and 270 engines. The engine size should be on the left of the distributor on the flat surface if it is a GMC engine.
Joe
Last edited by gmc-is-me; 02/22/20231:57 AM. Reason: additional info
just retired and finally making headway on my project truck. 1940 GMC AC152.
Well, seems like he did tell me that the truck he was going to put the engine in was a GMC. Before he got the engine done, some fool stole it and he never saw it again. The valve cover is definitely the two-bolt hold down style. I didn't think to look to see if the block had the side cover like the one in my 50 Chev. Anyhoo, what piqued my interest was the fact that the exhaust manifold heat riser on this manifold is free and moves really well, while the one on my Chev is frozen solid, and I was thinking about swapping manifolds. Does the # on the manifold look like something that would fit a Chev 216 of 1950 vintage? I guess that intake/exhaust port shape and position would be the go/no-go factor?
GMC and Chevy manifolds do not interchange- - - -different length and port shapes. Drop me a PM- - - -I have 216 exhaust manifolds, and I might be interested in acquiring another GMC engine. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
That 2194819 was also used on some GMC 228 engines. The first 3 digits of the engine serial number will tell you 228, 248 or 270.
Look here:
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Thanks for the input, guys. I will get out to the storage building in a few and shuffle things around so that I can get to the side of the block to see if I can get some more #s off that block. It is sitting upside down, against the wall and surrounded by who knows what. Hotrod, I will definitely consider making some sort of swap if it does turn out to be a GMC engine (which I'm pretty sure it is now). Just got to have some time to shorten the Honey-do list, so when I disappear into the shop, there are no bad consequences!
