The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1953 , 216 engine intake manifold ?

Posted this in Big Bolts still need help.
I changed the heat spacer under the carb and two gaskets .I went to my stock pile of parts to get them .The width between the two mount bolts is the same as a 235 ,checked my Dad's 235 fit's .My question is are the manifolds different on the larger trucks 1953 4400 ?I did check the engine # everyone says its a 216 looks like and 216.I have rebuilt many of these engines 216 and never seen this !
ID ON ENGINE BLOCK IS LCD28908I

There is a difference in the manifolds for the 216 and (1954 and later) 235 6's. The carb mounting flange bolt spacing, center to center, is 2-13/16 on a 216 intake and 2-15/16 on a (54 and later) 235 intake, so you have to watch it when acquiring a spare carb or buying a dual intake. The studs on a 216 exhaust manifold that bolt the exhaust and intake together also has a different spacing from a (54 and later) 235 exhaust manifold; making them it unique as well.

Chevrolet did build a 235 prior to 1954. They started building these in 1941 -> (http://1954advance-design.com/Stovebolt-engine/casting-numbers.html - See next right most column) I have read that these low pressure 235's were mostly put into the big trucks and that there are very few parts on them that will interchange with a 54 and later 235's. They VERY likely shared the same manifold with the 216. I am not sure but I am willing to bet that they looked the same as a 216 with the full cover on the right side of the engine. Perhaps someone could provide some clarity on this point. Check the casting numbers to be sure on the link above. Really nothing is interchangeable between the 216 and (54 and later) 235. Well, the flywheels are said to be swappable, and you can put a 216 valve cover on a 235.

Hope this helps.

Keep on truckin'
Walt Williams

If the carb stud spacing is 235, then it is a 1950 or later 235 manifold.
A 235 manifold could have easily been put on your 216.
The 1941-49 235s used 216 manifolds.

Thank you

54Belair and Pre '68 Dave

I didn't know if the Big bolt trucks intake manifold would be different than the 3100 216 engines .Tried posting this in the Big bolt forum ,guess everyone is Christmas shopping or just not knowledgeable of the 216 and 235's.57 years of previous owner's part swapping on this truck is quit a mystery some day's to figure out.

I had a person e-maim me a confirmed that the early 235s looked like 216s and were actually called "Loadmaster". It would be logical that they shared manifolds with the 216.

Walt