Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,037 Posts1,055,465 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!
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: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | I have tried the "Stovebolt Search" and could not find an answer.
I have what is supposed to be a 1955 2nd series 235 in my 1957. The temp sensor from my old motor does not fit the hole in the head of the "55" motor.The hole is too small.I bought a new one and it is the same size as the old one.
I tried to check the motor & head numbers to make sure the motor is really a 1955 235. I can't figure out what it is. Please help if you can. The block # to the left of the distributor is: 0512175F255X
and the head number is 3835913 GM24
If anyone can tell me so I can get the correct water temp unit I will be gratfull. thanks.
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | 1955 was the last year to use a temp gauge with a tube. The 56 electric sending unit is larger and uses pipe thread.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | Head number is a 1954-57 235 4-bolt rocker, small temp hole. Vendors like Jim Carter sell some adaptors for this but I think it is to go the other way. Sorry but the serial number I can't seem to find, what is the block # (cast in) on the other side of the distributor? Should probably start with 383XXXX. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
0512175F255X
My guesses are:
F = Flint, MI plant
255 = 2nd series 1955
X = 3100 series
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | Head number is a 1954-57 235 4-bolt rocker, small temp hole. Vendors like Jim Carter sell some adaptors for this but I think it is to go the other way. Sorry but the serial number I can't seem to find, what is the block # (cast in) on the other side of the distributor? Should probably start with 383XXXX. The number in front of the distributor is 3836233 and GM11 is under it. The adapter from JC is the other way around. I guess I will have to get the smaller hole sensor, but how is that going to work in my 57? Will I need to by something else to go with it to make it work in the 57?
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
3836233 block - 1955-2nd or 1956
3835913 head - 1955
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | Thanks. I guess I will have to get the older small style temp sensor.
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | note that the 'older style' is the capillary tube that's part of the [mechanical] gauge, not a seperate piece like with the electric gauge - you need to find a good 55 gauge with attached tube
Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | Why is it that nothing is easy with this project?  I have never seen this style so I don't know what it looks like or where I would get the other parts. Do I need a totally different gauge cluster now?
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | same gauge cluster, same look, but mechanical gauge with the capillary tube attached, the end of which fits the smaller hole ... might know where one is  don't know if it works Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | Bill,
I was looking at American Classic & Jim Carter for the capillary type & they are EXPENSIVE. If you know where you can get one I would be glad to pay you for it, working or not. I can put it in the head so I can start the motor & if it doesn't work I will have the core to exchange for a new one. Please let me know if you have one you would be willing to let go of. Thanks.
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | check yer mail Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | Thank you my Nothern friend. Got the mail & will send you a "thank you".
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | |
|
|
