The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Different engine

In response to my last post it was suggested to me that I may have a different engine than I thought. Apparently the original engine would have been a 216 but from looking at my last posted pix Denny G. thought it may be a 235 from '54. The number on the right bottom side by the distributor is 3837004 GM and the number on the left top flat side is 3836848 GM 3. Also there is a round canister in a bracket mounted against the inside wall of the left front fender. It's about 6" in diameter and 7" tall with a funnel like tapered bottom. There are 2 rigid lines, one at the tapered bottom and the other on the backside near the top. Both lines go to the bottom left side of the engine. The cover is held down with a single large bolt at the top center. I opened it and without disturbing anything I could see what looked like a filter and smelled of gasoline. (Pix # Eng.-4, 5 and 6 in my photobucket.)

I bought the Operator's Manual for 1951 Chevy trucks and the 1947-1954 Truck Factory Assembly Manual and neither one of them made any references to this canister. I can only speculate that it has everything to do with the newer model engine. Thanks for sharing your comments. So far it has been nothing short of great.

Paul
http://s868.photobucket.com/album/ab247/goaliepab/

What you have is a '56 235, going off the casting numbers. There should be a serial number that is stamped into a machined pad next to the distributer. That will have both the plant code as well as the original application code.
Thr canister is the oil filter, which was a dealer installed option most of the time. It may or may not be original, as the 216, 235, and early 261s used the same style filter. The lines are the oil feed and return, with the back one being the feed, also shared with the oil pressure line to the guage. The return simly dumps back into the pan.

If you are talking about the blue canister with an orange lid in this picture, it's the oil filter.
I'm not good with engine numbers, so someone else will have to help you with that one.

Paul,

More than likely, 3836848 is a head casting code (did it come off the head)? That codes was used on 235 heads from 1956 through 1962.

You have a high pressure 235 engine (the valve cover tipped Denny off) - a similar cover was used from 54-63 on 235/261 engines.

If you want to more specifically identify your block and head, post the codes that you find at the locations shown here.

Tim

If your oil smells like gas you'd better check the fuel pump. It could cause gas in the oil. Good luck.
Jeff

Well, thanks guys. That did the trick. By looking up the additional numbers it turned out to be a '56 235 with a block date casting code 4 23 6 which would make it April 23, 1956. And that cannister solves my oil filter question which was bound to come up sooner or later. Thanks a lot. You're a great bunch.

Paul

Well keep asking questons Paul, we'll make a Stovebolt mechanic out of you by the end of the year.
DG