The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Block & head #'s on 235

I have a very basic question, that I almost don't want to ask. But if I don't ask, I won't learn. So, please continue being patient with me - you've all been great so far.

The topic on "848 Heads" combined with my day at the car show got me all fired up to do something on my '37. So, I decided to try to figure out exactly what engine it is. (I believe it's an early 235.)

I found the stamped serial # on the flat plate just sligtly below and to the left of the distributor:
ECM207722

It was suggested, however, that I find the casting number. So, I went searching, scraping, scrubbing, etc... Just below and to the right of the distributor in raised letters I found:
GM
839770
18

Having found success there, I decided to take off the valve cover and find the numbers under it (towards the front, left-hand side):
GM
839401

I'm feeling pretty good about all these finds, until I look up the casting #s part of this web page. Now I'm confused.

839770 = Block # for '42-47 216 Pass & truck
839401 = Block # for all '41-48 216 & 235s

:confused: :confused: :confused:
Shouldn't the number I found under the valve cover (839401) be the head casting #? The page said it had typos in it, and I'm hoping it is a typo instead of me losing what little knowledge I have.

Can someone help decipher what engine I have?

Thanks,
Husker

just bringing this back towards the top to see if anyone has any suggestions

Sorry no one else has responded. I went to the inliners site and linked to Beck\'s list of casting numbers. It does have your block casting as a 42, 46-47 216. Another list has the head as a 41-48 216 and 235 - just what you found. I would guess that's your answer: it's a 42-47 216. Does it have the other tell-tale marks of a 216? Head has 15 head bolts? Valve cover held down with studs? High side cover up around spark plugs? On driver's side little metal plate with a metal tube going into the side of the motor? Engine runs with about 15 psi oil pressure? I personally like 216's. Good luck with it and have fun. :p

Husker,

The 207 in ECM207722 means your engine is a 207.

Supposedly '37 was the first year for the 216 but based on your low s/n of 722 looks as if you got a left over 207 or someone installed it later. My guess is the first one.

Thanks Frank50 and gusc.

It does have the have "walls" around the plugs. The valve cover is held down by two bolts sticking up out of the head. The valve cover itself has a rubber insert that fits over the bolts, then a couple of washers and a cap nut on top. The ignition distributor is held on by two bolts.

That is what I can remember off the top of my head. Tomorrow I'll take a closer look at things.

As far as oil pressure goes, I haven't the foggiest idea. I have never run the engine.

Husker

Husker, Can you post a picture of your motor? You might look at some pictures in the gallery of 30's Chevy trucks. I think some have pics of the engine. (edited) Here is a picture of a 36 truck. One shot is of the motor. I think the oil fill and draft tube are on the driver's side of the 207, opposite of a 216. The exhaust manifold is different from a 216. Here\'s another one. Good luck :p

So far, I've been technologically challenged and not been able to get a pic to post here in a post. However, I have several pics of the engine, cab, bed, etc... at the webshots page below.

I'm thinking I need to call it a 216 cid. There were some good pics in the gallery. My engine looks like a very dirty version of the '37 engine posted there.

Thanks,
Husker

After looking at your webshots I'm sure it's a 216. cool pictures!! :p

Thanks for the pics and the help.

Husker

After looking at the pics it looks like you have a 1941 or later engine. It has a three screw oil distributor on the drivers side which started in 1940. The head is scalloped around the head bolts on the drivers side which started in 1941. (1937-40 is straight behind head bolts, 37-40 also had dome pistons so heads don't directly swap).