The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop ID my engine

What do I need to see if this is the original engine or not.

Doug, should be an engine serial number on the little pad behind the distributor. It'll date the block, but the head could be from another engine/year.

Doug,

Probably the best identifiers for figuring out just what engine you have boils down to 2 primary things.

1st is the Serial# stamped into the block. Check out this resource which provides info on where to find your serial number and help breaking down what the stamped numbers mean.

2nd part needed is to find and verify your "block" casting code and date info. Check out this resource link with pictures for help on that.

The pictures you posted above show the "head" casting info, which helps identfy that part, but not the basic engine block details.

Get some pictures of your block info and post them here so we can offer more help if you can't determine them from the links provided.

Dan

When I get home from my shop tonight I'll edit the pic here.. Thanks for the pointers in the right direction.

Well now. The serial number block is blank.

It sounds like you've got a "replacement" block, one that a Chevy parts department sold to be used during an overhaul. The casting number down close to the fuel pump will give you an idea of the engine's age and basic application, but casting numbers usually span several years of production.
Jerry

If possible, find and post here the following:

1. Block casting code
2. Block date casting code

3. Head casting code
4. Head date casting code

5. Engine Serial Number (a replacement engine might not have an ESN, or it might have an odd ESN)

I’m not going to remove the starter to get to the casting date. There are no other numbers on that side of the block.
I’ll get my mirror out to make sure I didn’t miss anything hidden behind the distributor or fuel pump.

I double checked with a mirror and nothing.

Doug,

There are numbers/letters on that pad in your picture. They are partially visible if you use the magnifying button when viewing your picture. You just need to do some more cleanup of that pad, probably with a wire brush, to clear the heavy layers of paint and old grime buildup to bring them into the light of day.

Your block casting code, assuming you have a '54 235 engine, will be just above the oil pan mounting flange rail between the front of the engine block and the fuel pump mounting location (see attached screenshot). Those will also probably be heavily obstructed with old grime and paint, which a wire brush will expose.

Dan

PS - The engine block date casting codes are visible just above your starter if you get the angle just right. No need to remove the starter.

I'm seeing a 6 (or maybe 5), a 3, a 5, maybe a 2, and an X in your picture. Get a wire brush and clean it up some more. Lighting it from the side also helps you read the stamped numbers. [on edit] on second look, that 2 looks like a 4, and a 54X indicates a 54 235 engine originally installed in a 3100. If you find an F in front of the 5, that would indicate it came from the Flint plant, and a T would indicate the Tonawanda Plant.

The casting number should be under the fuel pump and just above the pan gasket. Not that hard to find.

[on edit] Dan beat me to the punch while I was out double checking on my 216 (which is what your 54 should have if original) Nope 54's had a 235.

If you blow up your picture, you can clearly see numbers and letters stamped on that pad. Clean it with a wire brush as Kevin suggested and it may clear it it.

Use a wire brush or sandpaper on the pad, then rub it with welder's chalk or white soap. The numbers will pop up pretty clearly.
Jerry

You guys have better eyesight than me for sure. I’ll give it another cleaning and try again.

This looks a lot better.
The one above the starter I could only kind of make out the last 3 and it looked like N30.
Still can’t find the one up forward.

Yep, pretty clear. That's a 54 engine originally installed in a 3100, built in the Flint plant.

That’s good to know. Makes it highly likely the original motor.

I finally found the casting number. Best guess is 388P011

Revisit your block casting number and see if it's 3835911 (1954/55 235)

There is nothing about your truck that's "original", you have a 1954 engine, a 1955 frame and 1956 sheet metal...it's a frank-n-truck!

Mike B

That looks right Mike. Thanks