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I recently purchased a 1947 2 ton Loadmaster conventional chevrolet from the second owner who has had and used the truck on his ranch since 1950. It is all pretty original and aside from some of the wiring, everything on the truck works and is ready to go. I do want to change the front and rear main seals since they do seep some oil. I have searched all the sites I can find to determine the year of the motor. It is a 235 I am most certain, and found the head casting number (3701887) relates to a 1953 model. I cannot find the block stamped number anywhere. It is DSP 49506. This is stamped on the plate next to the distributor. Can anyone tell me what that number represents in terms of year or other info?
Thanks,
Tim

Check on the passenger side of the engine block for the engine casting number. Should be to the front of the starter.

Thanks,
I will look for it. The number I had was from the stamped number on the cast plate just to the rear of the distributor on the passenger side.
Tim

On the few engines I have seen, the casting number is usualy about midway down the side on the left side of the case, an inch or so above the bottom edge of the block. They are raised letters that were cast into the block mold.
The numbers that are stamped into the case just behind the dizzy is the serial number.

Looked thru the lists for GMC head casting #'s and didn't find the one you have. Might be from a Chev engine?... All the early GMC #'s I found started with 2.

Either way, locate the block casting # & you'll know for certain. You can bounce it off the list at http://oldgmtrucks.com/GMCCastingNumbers/ & see what year range & size the motor is.

Hy texasT, The castng number you listed 3701887 comes back to a head from a 1953 Chevrolet 235, at least in my reference material, hope that helps.

I agree with 3B, 1953 low pressure 235 head.

I cannot find the "DSP 49506" prefix (DSP).

Welcome to the 'Bolt, TexasT.

Hopin' you are in central Texas, I sent you an e-mail, and if you are close by, well, maybe we can make a meet.

Thanks to all of the guys for the insight. It does appear to be a 53 low pressure 235. One last question, do any of you know when the rocker arm cover went from being the longer type (up around the spark plugs) to the shorter type like this 53 engine has? My 47 manual shows the old long covers up over the spark plugs. Thanks again for all the great insight.
Tim