The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 51 Chevy engine?

Hi Guys,
I'm going to look at a 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton tomorrow. The guy says the engine hasn't run in 15 years. Any idea as to what size the engine might be? 235 or 216? How do I tell what it is? Also, what precations should I take when I try to get the engine going? Spray some WD-40 in each cylinder or something? Thanks.

kskt4

From the factory it would have had a splash oiled 216 or optional 235. Take a look at the attached pic...there is a plate held on with 3 bolts on the drivers side of the block just below the oil gallery. This plate definitely defines it as a splash oiled engine. If you see the plate then it's probably the original 216 (or splash 235). If there is no plate there then it it has been upgraded to a newer,full pressure 235. A little oil in each cylinder is a good idea before turning it over. Check the tech tips page for more on getting it going.

http://www.ironchief.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album04&id=Dcp_1733

Curt B.

216's have a full heigth side cover that goes all the way around the spark plugs. The newer 235 full pressure engines have a much shorter side cover and a 4 bolt valve cover. Externally they are the same size.

Their are a few things you should check on sleeling beauty. You probly have a bad tank of gas behind the seat and a good possibilty of stuck valves. Before you turn the motor over you might remove the spark plugs and valve cover and check for valve movement while turning it over by hand. Also you should clean and check the point gap while your head is under the hood. I heard this from a favorite shop teacher many yeats ago " Two on the top makes it a splash and slop four on the side means she's a power glide."

216's have two valve cover bolts centered on top.
235 thriftmaster have several (4??) around the edges.
both have a long pushrod valve side cover.

250' & 292's have 7 edge valve cover bolts.

pull the plugs out, spray wd and see if she will rotate. make sure she has oil

All 216s have two valve cover bolts in the top of the valve cover.

Early 235s (1941-1953, except 1953 Powerglide 235) have two valve cover bolts in the top of the valve cover. [Maybe even the 1954 Powerglide 235 had 2 valve cover bolts?]

Later 235s (1954-1962 and 1953 Passenger Powerglide) and all 261s (1954-1962) have four stovebolt machine screws on the sides of the valve covers.

It is possible to find a later 235 (and any 261) with the old style (2 bolts in top) valve cover. An easy "reversion" done for looks or to use older style valve covers.

The push-rod side cover that extends up over the spark plugs was on the 216s and many (but not all) of the pre-54 235s (I am not sure about the exact year but I think up to 1950 on the 235s).

The best way to ID an engine is by the ID (in the ledge to the rear of the distributor) and/or block AND head costing numbers. I think the block casting number/code in at the upper right of the starter. I do not know the location of the head casting number.

Thanks for all the replies. No use though. This old truck has been sitting under a bunch of cedar trees for the last 20 years. The body is totally gone and the engine didn't look much better. Oh well, so much for a diamond in the ROUGH!!

kskt4