OLD 42: Welcome to the Stovebolt BB! Always good to hear from the land of plenty!
The number you found by the distributor is the production code. This code will identify the plant where the engine was manufactured, the chassis (truck) installed, and unit(s) of engines manufactured.
I can be wrong on this, but if I am, someone will set me straight on this point, but as far as I know, GM never manufactured engines in either Canada, or Australia. All the 235 engines were mfg at either Tonawanda, NY, or at Flint, MI.. The engines destined for export to those countries were coded differently. By coded, I mean the "production code", the stampede code on the flat "tab" by the distributor.
Usually these export engines had GM/casting number
specific for export. What I mean is that for each year, say 1955 as an example: GM 35741343, would be for 1955 model 235 Canada specific.
The block casting number can be found on the distributor side, just above the oil pan flange, about mid point on the block.
The block date code, can be found just above the starter, on the side of the block. Will be a letter and number code. Each alphabet letter
A thru L represents the month. And numbers represents day/year. The year is represented by the last number. Example: D175 = April 17, 1955.
Find your block numbers and date code and repost.
Think Chevy!

:rolleyes:
