Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
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| | | Forums66 Topics128,017 Posts1,055,255 Members48,417 | | 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: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 | I know my engine is a 235 from a '56 (3837004).The other numbers I'm looking at are on the machined block behind the distributor. (FIOI7A) Any clues as to what these are? Also the raised bossing are J 11 6 below the machined block I'm assuming are,(Oct.11,56).  Yeah I know,ASSuMe...  Thanks Jeff | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 94 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 94 | J 11 6 is Sep 11, 1956. The letter I was not used because it looks like a 1. F1017A is an engine assembled in Flint on Oct 17. The "A" indicates a 235, standard transmission. REF: Illustrated Parts Catalog.
Joe D. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The serial number comes up as a '57 325, Passneger car w/manual transmission.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 | I'll get some pics tommorrow and post because it is stamped with I's(FIOI7A)-EYES-crosses on top and bottom.
Last edited by PapaJ; 04/01/2010 7:02 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 | So,if the casting on the inside of the block is '56, the casting code would be late '56 for '57 model year? http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac339/Lilbro60/005.jpgTook this today,are we identifing this stamped area?
Last edited by PapaJ; 04/02/2010 6:10 AM. Reason: can't spell
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 506 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 506 | PapaJ,
What do you mean when you say "the casting on the inside of the block is '56.
Are referring to the date code casting? If so, yes, your block was cast in late 1956 and those blocks were used in 1957 vehicles. If the date code letter is I, J, K, L (Sept thur Dec) the engine would be placed in the next year vehicle.
The stamped pad area is identified in the first line of Randy's posting. The second line with the web site explains it even further. And your eyes "I" are ones "1" which is the month and day.
Block casting 3837004 was used in: Trucks 1955.2 - 1957 w/ mechanical cam Passenger 1955 - 1957 w/ hydraulic cam
I have the same block with date code K 3 55. Except the stamped info on the pad has a seven digit serial number and then T56Z. It's a late 1955 block that was used in a 1956 vehicle. This also confirms what Randy said that in 1957 the stamped pad info was changed to plant, month and year and type.
Hope this helps.
-Tom
1950 Chevy 3100 w/ 1956 235
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 | If you pull your pan and look on the left, inside, area, around crank pins 2-3 there is a casting number that specifies year. Rest of the info is very helpful
Thanks Jeff | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 | Are these the numbers that are being referred to? Inside #, forward cylinders inside #, center cylinders inside #, aft cylinders I have never paid much, if any, attention to these numbers. This block is a 1954 261 (could be a first series 1955), even though the external casting number, 3835911, indicates otherwise. The short block assembly was purchased in the early seventies, new from Chevrolet, and installed in a 1954 Corvette. The owner of the Corvette tired of the project, and the 261 was pulled out and I ended up as the owner. A few people have doubted this story, but it is true. The block is definitely a 261, with the siamesed cylinders. Does anyone else have images of these inside casting numbers? Is there a consistent correlation of the numbers with the year of the block? Hoyt | | | | | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 400 | yes those are the ones I was told to look for when I ordered my rebuild kit. | | |
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