The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New guy with a 1951 Chev 1 ton

I just picked up a 1951 Chev 1 ton the other day with the idea that I'd finish my '27 T first and then go on to the truck. I can't stop messing around with it though. I figured I should start by seeing what I have first before doing anything stupid, originally I thought I'd just put in a SBC and a T350 or 400. I would appreciate any help identifying these two engines cause I can't find them anywhere.
The first is in the truck and it matches the serial number on the door plate: X486534
The second spare I have is 425268.

They're both inline sixes. Here's a link to some pictures until I figure this site out:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12817213@N06/

Thanks in advance, I'll be hanging around,

Sean

Welcome to the 'Bolt Sean! The link you give requires a log in to look at your pix, best way to post them here is to link them in from a hosting site, like Photobucket or WebShots.
I looked in my own sorces for the engine numbers, they don't come up in my sources. Are these numbers the ones from the pad behind the distributor? Thoses would be the ones that will help ID them the best.
BTW, I read some of the resposes you got on the other site, I don't agree with the low pressure 216/235 as being "not worth rebuilding". I've messed with these engines for years, they are very tough, reliable engines. If you plan on going hot rod, then you would be better with the hi pressure engine, though.

Okay I'll link it to my photobucket. I used the VIN buster tool in the tech tips and it tells me it's a 1961 body and 1964 suburban engines???
Yes they were on the pad behind the distributer, I can't find any other numbers???

Thanks,
Sean

Sure look like a couple of '53 or earlier 216's to me. Click on this: [IMG]http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/63/463/3/51/80/2412351800096215731dipPPX_th.jpg[/IMG] it came out of a '53 and is undergoing an overhaul as spare power for my own '51 3800...

I've had some responses from another site, they figure it's a 235 in the box and a 216 in the truck. I can't find those numbers anywhere. Thanks for the help,

Sean

The truck looks good!

Sean,

The one in the bed is most likely a 1950-53 low-pressure 235. The give-away is the two-bolt valve cover (pre-54 216/235) and the side cover that does not go over the spark plugs. The side cover went over the spark plugs on 216s until 1953, but only went over the spark plugs through 1949 on the low-pressure 235 1950-53.

I cannot make out if the side cover comes over the spark plugs on the engine in the truck.

Tim

So, Tim Knowitall, If the engine in my truck bed in the pic is a '53, is it a 235? Or do I need to run the number?