I just picked up a stovebolt and looking for a good rebuild it has captians bars above the starter block casting # was in front off the fuel pump 3701481 date code E 13 3 and head # 3701887 Is this the original head ? Serial # LOQ I believe its a first year blue flame for power glide cars anything special or reason not to rebuild I have another rebuildable 235.
Marten - Can you post a picture of the stamped serial#? "LOQ" doesn't match any existing serial number info exactly that I can find. Nearest I can coe to that is an "LCQ" in the 1953 Chevrolet Truck Data PDF, but that indicates a "216" and not a 235.
On the casting numbers, the block "3701481" aligns with a 1953-54 235 with hydraulic cam and attached to a Powerglide in a car. The head "3701887" aligns with a 1953 235. The block date casting# E 13 3 decodes as E = May / 13 = 13th day of May / 3 = 1953 Model year.
No reason I can think of for not considering it for a rebuild. Your choice on keeping it with the hydraulic cam/lifters or if you want to convert it during the rebuild to a solid cam/lifter setup. Be aware there is a difference in the crankshaft end as it has a slightly different recess where a transmission input shift bushing needs to reside. But that's not a problem as you can get a bushing designed to fit that crank opening without having to do any mods or machine work.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
That was a typo on the serial number it's LAQ45074? And LAQ prefix lines up with the first blue flame six 1953 power glide not sure about the head #3701887 but I believe its correct for the block vavle cover is bolted with 2 acorn nuts
The "LAQ" prefix is confirmed as an RPO "235" with Powerglide from a '53 Passenger car (see screenshot from a Chevrolet Tech Service Bulletin) below.
My casting code info confirms the head "3701887" as a "235 2-stud rocker cover with small temp sender hole". There should be a head "casting date code" just inside the valve cover sealing rail behind where you found the casting number. That date code would confirm the year, but with just what you have, I think it's fairly certain your head could be the original for the block.
It's impossible to fully validate that as there aren't serial numbers on the heads that would correspond with the block. But in the scope of things, it being the correct head pretty much covers questions of originality IMHO.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
'53 powerglide 235 is a fine engine. Find you a 848 head and put it on that engine and it will be finer yet. Include a Yf2100 carb and a T-5 transmission and you will be very pleased. That is what I did. Could not be happier or more impressed with the performance of these combinations. If you do need a new cam and lifters, go solid. It is hard to find a set of new hydraulic lifters where one or two of them don't hang when the engine is cold. They eventually free up once the engine reaches operating temperature, but you will have to listen to a lot of racket until the free themselves up.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
The "887" and the "913" heads both have the same bolt pattern as the "848"- - - -the difference is the compression ratio. Either of the earlier heads can be brought up to 848 compression specification by milling 3/32" (.090") off the head gasket surface, but the intake valves also need to be recessed the same distance to protect the edge of the valves from the flame front as it travels across the top of the pistons. Correct the rocker arm geometry by putting 3/32" shims under the rocker shaft stands, and 11/32" diameter lash caps on top of the exhaust valve stems.
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