The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What year 235

I bought a 235 from a guy he wasn’t sure what it came out of. I looked up the casting number {3701481} on Dave’s tec website and it shows it as a 1954, but the date code behind the starter (G303)says July 30 1953. It has hydraulic lifters in it. There is no serial number stamped on the ledge by the distributor and I have been told that it is probably a replacement engine. What I need to know is when I buy parts do I order 1953 or 1954 parts I have noticed in some parts book that there is some difference in 1953 and 1954 models.
Joe

I’m no expert, but logically the engine must be produced before the vehicle is sold, so I would think it’s a ‘54.

There are other identifiers to engine year. One of our own ‘bolters “Pre ‘68 Dave” is an expert on these Stovebolt engines and has a website that show the differences thru the years these engines were made. Click on his presentation to open it up.

Here is a link.

Thanks for the link.

Does it have a set of captains bars cast into the block above the starter?
1953 Bel Air which came with Powerglide transmissions had hydraulic lifters. It was the first 235 with full pressure oiling system. It had the captains bars which instantly differentiated it from the low pressure 235.

Yes it does so I should use 53 when ordering parts?
Would there be any difference between a 53 and 54 as long as they both have hydraulic lifters and insert bearing?

The block should be dated by year and the pad should be stamped as per build date and application.

Should it by fat chance be a '53 Corvette 235 then it has a 261 camshaft.

I really don’t know, but I’ve been wondering about that myself.

The 53 full pressure, with insert bearings and hydraulic lifters, shouldn’t it be the same as the 54 as far as parts are concerned?

Joe, First off I would 2nd Phil's (Phak1) comment about the casting date of the block most likely being for the 1954 model year. I think the '54 models were most likely already being produced by that point. A little reading through the 1929-54 Chevy Master parts book, looking at the individual engine component part numbers show the majority of the engine parts fall under the same part numbers for 1953-54 passenger engines with the powerglide transmissions. It's possible the only definitive answer is to inspect/measure the parts you find that could be different in the parts book to figure out which one you have and need. That method is a pain in the backside as you can't simply pre-order stuff (unless what you need you can confirm in the parts book is the same for both year engines).

Another possible clue would be to locate and post your engine head casting number (outside the valve cover centered on drivers side of head) and casting date codes (under the valve cover and just inside of the casting code location). That info could help pin down more details on what you have. That's a 'big if" though if the head has been changed out???

Not where I can see it right now but I did check the head casting number and date. The date is 1953, but the casting number according to a couple charts
I found online shows it being a 1954

The pad by the distributor is blank and I have been told that it’s a replacement engine if there is no serial there.

This one is a little tricky. GM's assembly plants generally shut down for the month of September to retool for the new models. So they were building cars and trucks through August. The lead times for the motors were usually a couple of weeks, not several, a couple, like may two or three at most. But we are at the end of the production line for one year and the beginning of another. Did GM start building motors for the 54 line a little earlier then usual just at the beginning? Maybe. I have an 848 head in my garage that was cast the second week of September of 55. The 848 head was introduced for the 56 model year. We know, no cars or trucks were built on the 55 line after July 30 or so. So between the casting date and the 848 head, is a 56.

As for your block, I don't think anyone can say with definitive authority that every single block was stamped on the distributor pad. That was indeed the practice up through at least 55, but can any say for absolute certain? I am not sure that they can.

So, Joe, can you post the casting date of the head and the block? Lets see what we have here.

I think it would be VERY rare to have a pre 1957 engine get out of the factory without having a stamped serial number as most State's used this number for title identification.

Mike B

The pad on my 1960 235 isnt blank, but has only 2 digits stamped into it. My truck is a 62.

That is my point, it may be rare, but possible. As for title identification, Pennsylvania did not use engine numbers for titles so again, I just suggesting that we really need the actual full casting dates to delve into this conundrum.

Not trying to be argumentative here, as anything is possible, but I still think it would be highly unlikely that an engine headed for the assembly plant wouldn't have a code stamped on it. The engine got it's code stamped on during the machining process, then it went down the line and the flywheel and clutch were installed (is it the HD or standard clutch?), then the head and sheet metal were bolted on. After that it went to paint...is it blue for a car or gray for a truck? Without the engine code how would the assembly plant know if it was built with a HD clutch for a 3100 truck or a 3800?

PA may not have used the engine serial number for titling purposes, but many States did prior to 1955. Chevrolet stopped adding engine serial numbers after the 1956 model year.

Yes, casting date codes would help...

Mike B

Post a picture of your pad stamping...

Mike B

How about replacement stock engines? I have a 216 that was a replacement engine that has no evidence of a serial number being stamped on it. I even tried an acid etch to see if there was a serial number that had been machined off (although that would be pretty unusual.)

klhansen, Replacement engines were not stamped as they were sold as long or short block only, not as complete engines...

Mike B

That makes sense Mike. I had not thought of that.