Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,004 Posts1,055,265 Members48,418 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 | I took this out of a 56 and would like to put it in the 53. I would like to know your thought on it. It is a good running engine. Let me know if this is the right one to switch with the 216. I'm confused because the water pump is above the head and their are some other discrepancies. It does have the 4 screws for the rocker cover. It seems like an oddball compared with the tech articles.
The engine numbers are CON4 E114.
I had asked this question a few weeks ago without the engine ID. I just want to make sure that I do have a pressure block. I do have another one for sure from a 59 Biscayne, but I'd rather leave that one alone if this is a good one. Thanks for the help.
Spencer
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | See if there is a block casting code (seven digit number) near the upper right of the starter (or, where the starter would be located).
Or, see if you can make out the engine serial number that is pressed into the block, to the rear of where the distributor goes into the block. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 | Thanks for the reply. The SN is 0644303 F54Z.
Spencer | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Spencer,
1954 235 block, most likely originally from a passenger car.
The water pump is mounted higher in 54/55 (as on the earlier low-pressure 216/235) than on later 55-62 high-pressure 235/261.
Tim | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 | Tim,
The water pump had me confused. The other thing that I noticed was the oil line that makes a loop on the driver's side, but there is no plate like on my 216. However, if I'm guessing right, this is a full pressure engine since it is a 54. Am I correct on this?
I was reading that the driver's side should be "clean" (no plate or line). I guess they meant just not the little triangular plate.
I appreciate the help.
Spencer
Last edited by aggieranch; 04/12/2008 5:37 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Spencer,
Yes, the 54 235 is high pressure. There is no oil line and triangular plate as on earlier 216/235 blocks.
That's a good engine to use in your 53, especially if it is "a good running engine".
It might have hydraulic lifters but that is not a problem.
Good luck with it.
Tim | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 | | | |
|
|
