The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts new 6400: engine questions

Brought home a new, (to me), '49 Chev 6400. Engine is not a 216 as first expected. I think it's a 235, but I need to learn all the variations of a 235. Valve cover has four hold down screws on side flange. Oil filler/breather in front top of cover. I cleaned off the machined ledge just behind the distributor and there are no stamped numbers. That leads me to believe it was a replacement motor never stamped. Truck is still 6V and oil pressure gauge only goes to 30 pounds which suggests to me it actually did have a 216 when new. No accessory gauges, so if this is a higher oil pressure 235, then they just let the gauge, "peg," or it's an early 235 with lower oil pressure, (did they have those?)

I did a quick search but I need to know more about 235's. Any tips or links appreciated. Thanks, Dennis Odessa/Ritzville, WA

Well, it looks like Spanky furnished some interesting information in another post a few lines down. Apparently my 6400 came with the, "Loadmaster," engine which was a 235. I didn't know they made a 235 in 1949. However, this now begs two more questions:

If true, does the 1949 235 have a real oil pump? Splash system? Insert bearings? And it must have produced only the 15-18 pounds oil pressure like the 216 if my dash gauge, (max of 30 pounds), is right.

Lastly, with no engine/vehicle number whatsoever stamped behind my distributor, if this means a replacement engine, could I still have a later engine and if so, how do I tell?

Dennis

this should help http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engine_identification.htm

A 235 engine was available from 1941 onwards. In trucks, the 235 engine was low-pressure (yes, with an oil pump) through 1953 and the earlier valve cover had 2 hold-down bolts/nuts.

Here are the locations of various codes on the engine.

Last year I purchased a 49 6400 grain truck that had a stock 235 ci. The motor is spent and I had a 216 that was rebuilt. Was the 216 ever pressurized?

The 216 engine was always a low-pressure engine.

The 216 engine had a "pressurized" oil system; however, it was a low-pressure system that did not have pressurized internal lubrication to the rod bearings.

The truck 235 engines up through 1953 were also low-pressure engines.

Thanks; that's a big help. So considering my engine has four screws on the flange holding it down and a low side plate, your links tell me it is a 1954 or later engine.

I did not realize that until 1954, the early 235's had the same valve cover as the 216, (twin center studs holding it on)

Dennis

Dennis,

Yes

Yes