The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 engine id

[img]https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/77308/filename/IMG_1954.jpeg[/img]I pulled this engine out of 1954 2 ton truck has a head 3836848 and vin number RBM 13913
any idea what year this is.

Miller, I looked in the 1954 Chevrolet Truck Data PDF and could not find any 235's with that kind of a vin number (Serial Number). Can you take and post pictures of the block casting number (left lower side of the engine block forward of the distributor) and the stamped numbers on the machined pad directly behind the distributor? Those are necessary to try and Id your engine. The casting date codes found just above and behind the starter on the engine block are also helpful in determining your engine build date and plant. On the 3836848 head, that wasn't available until 1956, so would not be original to a 1954 engine. Looking forward to seeing your pics!

The font style of that stamping looks like the GM Canada stamps
The leg on the 9 for instance is straight on USA serials
That photo posted shows a very curved 9 just as you see on Canada block stampings of the era.
-s

Miller, Seeing your pics I would have to agree with 2ManyTrucks. Your engine could very will have come from a Canadian truck. Their serial numbering was different from US made numbering sequences. We've had several examples of Canadian built engines with letters at the beginning of the serial number sequence. The Canadian engines though did often use the same casting codes for the block and heads. The first picture you added shows the block manufacturing date code CON4 K123. CON4 stands for the conveyor the engine was built on and if the other follows normally accepted GM date codes K = November, 12 = 12th Day of November and 3 = 1953. That late in the calendar year could very well indicate a 1954 model year engine.

If you look elsewhere on the block, there should be a 7 digit numeric casting number which would be the block Casting ID#. Usually located just above the oil pan mounting rail on the passenger side of the block forward of the distributor. Unfortunately it is one of the areas where lots of gunk and road dirt build up which could be hiding the info. Perhaps you can dig a little deeper and provide another pic or two?

More pics of numbers

Miller, Great extra pics!!! The block casting code 3835911 was used in both US and Canadian built 235's. A US built 235 with that casting number according to one source book I have says its a 1953-55 with 2 water pump holes, a hydraulic cam/lifters and attached to a Powerglide. The Canadian casting number resource for that casting number only lists it as 1954-55 235. As said before the "848" head was also used on Canadian 235's. To help ID the head better, if you remove the valve cover you will find casting date codes on the top surface of the head just inside the cover gasket surface in same vicinity of the "848" casting number. That can help date the head to confirm if it might be original or not.

Also great to a see is the rebuilders tag on the block. It clearly gives the details from that rebuild with an 0.030 overbore and crankshaft main and rod bearing regrind to 0.030 undersize. That's all I've got for info for you sir!. Hopefully others can chime in to provide more details, short of you tearing the engine down to get into the nitty-gritty details.