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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,035 Posts1,055,445 Members48,422 | | 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!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 28 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 28 | I have pasted few more pics in the album, scroll to the last page to get pics of the head. I believe the motor is a 55 235 out of a car, according to one guy here, due to its engine casting number and serial number, the HEAD casting on the outside is 3835913 inside the head is E 1455 CONV 2. It has a two bolt valve cover, which was reported to have occured for car motors. I appreciate everyones help thus far for sure. GeeVee Bens MouseWagon | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | GeeVee,
E 14 55
E = May 14 = 14 th day 55 = 1955
Did you look at the head under the edge of the valve cover to see if it has 4 screw/bolt holes for the stock valve cover?
Most likely someone put an old 216/235 2-bolt valve cover on your 1955 head (which I think matches the 1955 block your asked about in another post).
Tim | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 28 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 28 | Ok now I am confused.
Yes, I just looked at the head and found the four holes for a valve cover. Which would give me options if I need to replace the cover I have that is not the square and truest looking cover.
So maybe it is a 55 bottom end, and it is a 55 head, but maybe not out of a car? Could they have been producing heads with the holes for a four bolt but installed it with a two bolt cover because it was going in a car? Or is it a replacement head, coincidentaly a 55?
I guess it matters not.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | GeeVee,
235s were used in cars and trucks in 1955.
ALL 235s in 1955 came with the four bolt valve cover but, over the past 53 years, someone could easily have put the older 2-bolt 216/235 valve cover on the 1955 engine/head.
As I recall, your block number was for a 1955; and, someone posted that it was a car block casting code. I have seen that code listed as a truck casting code in 1955 and 1956.
The engine-block that was used with a Powerglide-equipped car in 1955 was 3702436 (this block was set-up for hydraulic lifters). Thus, it is possible that your block (set-up for mechanical lifters) could have been used in a standard transmission car or in a truck?
Tim | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | At some time someone may have decided to keep the engine looking more like the original 216 and transferred the rocker mounts with the longer bolts in them to use the original valve cover. That's a common switch even today.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 | All that's necessary to fit a 216-style valve cover to the later head would be the long studs installed instaed of the shorter bolts on two rocker stands. Then the 2-bolt valve cover with the acorn nuts can be installed, covering up the other bolt holes around the perimeter of the newer head.
The 216 side cover still won't fit, but it looks like a 216 engine to a casual observer. Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 10/04/2008 3:27 PM.
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| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,377 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,377 | I have a finned aluminum 216 style valve cover on the 57 235 in my 37 and will be installing a stock 216 valve cover and road draft tube next week to make the 235 look more like a 216. Jeff | | |
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