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| | | Forums66 Topics128,188 Posts1,057,217 Members48,465 | | 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 2010 Posts: 18 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 18 | Hi all,
Just bought a 1952 Chevy 3100 with most of the work done. Picking it up next week. Will post pictures soon.
It has a '54 engine (4 screws holding valve cover). Are all of these full pressure motors?
Wayne | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,644 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,644 | Welcome,Wayne,I just finished My 52-3100 almost still got the seat to do ,yes full pressure.
Pete | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | Welcome Wayne, looking forward to the pics. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Wayne, welcome to the Stovebolt. Your definitely in the right ccompany now. Let us know how we can help by posting in the correct forums but it sounds like your already on the road!! Keep us posted and we are waiting on PICTURES  | | | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 18 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 18 | Looks like most people use photobucket for posting pictures. Is this the easiest way?
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 74 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 74 | Wayne -
My wife and I are leaving at first light tomorrow to pick up a 47 3100.... I just went through this regarding the 235.
My understanding is that all 235s WITH a 4 bolt valve cover and short side cover on the spark plug side are all full pressure engines. If it has a tall side cover with 4 bolt valve cover it is a babbet con rod bearing, low pressure 235. Look for my recent post and thread in the engine section "216 vs 235" or google images for chevy 235 and chevy 216 and look at the valve covers and side covers - you'll see what I mean.
Good luck - we will post pics as soon as we return. Good luck and happy hunting!
John | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | Looks like most people use photobucket for posting pictures. Is this the easiest way? Photobucket or one of the other hosting sites. I prefer Photobucket because it's free, easy and doesn't require the viewer of the pics to see a bunch of spam. If you haven't already, take the link on the bottom left of this page to read the pic posting policy of the 'bolt.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion. Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 18 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 18 | John,
Thanks for the reply. I checked out your thread on engines and tall and short side covers. My has the short, therefore, full pressure.
I'm really pleased with what the guy did with the truck, keeping it mainly stock. Changed engine to '54, 12 volt, electric wipers.
I'm thinking of 3:55 gears in rear end.
Wayne | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 374 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 374 | Very cool on your new purchase. Be aware that a short side cover does not necessarily dictate full pressure. I have a '53 235 (see pic prior to install), non full pressure with short side cover. Run the casting numbers tho if its in a '54, good chance its a '54 and therefore full pressure. 1953 235 Check your numbers here. http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/chevytalk/GMhistory/1916-57cast.html | | | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 18 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 18 | But if you have both the short side cover and the four bolts holding the valve cover, does that mean full pressure?
Wayne | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | "If it has a tall side cover with 4 bolt valve cover it is a babbet con rod bearing, low pressure 235."
Is there a low-pressure 235 block that will work with a non-adapted head that uses a 4-screw valve cover?
"But if you have both the short side cover and the four bolts holding the valve cover, does that mean full pressure?"
Yes
Big Tee's link to a photo of the valve cover and side cover combination is what one would find on all 1950-1953 235 engines (car and truck; hydraulic & mechanical lifters).
As described by others above, 1953 was an odd year in which the hydraulic-lifter 235 automobile engine had the short side-cover, the two-bolt valve-cover, and a higher-pressure lubrication system (like all 54-62 235 engines, which had short side covers and 4-screw valve covers).
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 | Wayne, This reponse to a previous question might help, Hoyt | | |
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