The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Proper Engine ?

Hi Everyone

The shipping company in the US have sent me these two photos of my 54 pick up 235 engine. I hope it's the right one, sorry, but I bought my truck because I loved the chevy 54 but don't claim to know too much. I'm trying to cause myself less stress !!! after buying only seeing photos ... it arrives in the UK end of April, does everything look correct for a 54 3100 ( I know according to this fantastic site the engine block should be Gray ).

[IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd42/cut7jag/chevyeng2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd42/cut7jag/chevyeng-1.jpg[/IMG]

yes, it does appear to be a correct 235 with a few 'custom' touches by the PO - if you're looking for a 100 point resto it'll need some changes, but for a driver you're good to go

Bill

the only way to know for sure if it is a 54 one would need the numbers off the block... it looks like 235 vs 216 based on
what the valve covers look like... can you tell how many
bolts are in the valve cover

It looks like four bolts on the cover, Joker

Gary,

It looks like a 4-bolt 235/2612 valve cover (54-63) and the valve cover has the "breathing" slits in it as used in 54/55-1st-series.

The back of the water pump appears to be a little above the bottom of the head, as it was in 54/55-1st-series.

There is a good chance that you have a 1954 engine (that has been dressed up a little, as mentioned above).

When you get the truck, look for the various codes at these location. Those codes will help to definitively determine the year and use of the engine.

Either I'm hallucinating or there are captain bars on that engine. That could be a '54 261.

Good eyes. How the heck do you see that, Cletis?

If it is a 1954 235 engine, you are not hallucinating. In 1954, both the 261 and the 235 blocks had the "captain bars".

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/2010/02/the-forgotten-261-6-cylinder-engine/

Look at the water pump again. It's a short-shaft but the low-mounted style of 55-2nd and later. The valve cover is 4-screw and has the vent slots. It has lots of chrome/bling, and an altrnator - all non-original for 54.
The stamped serial number behind the distributor is the best way to tell.
Which won't really hurt the value at all, unless it's a trailer queen truck.

Wow thanks everyone, how great is this forum
the vin I have is 0500541F54XA. From stuff I have found I know F = Flint and XA = Thriftmaster 235 ... is that right ?

Gary,

Yes, it is a 1954 truck 235 engine that originally came in a 3600 (3/4 ton) truck.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/54057.htm

It would have the older style water pump: short shaft, with the pump body going a little above the bottom of the head. This is hard to determine from the photos - photo 2 almost shows this, if you look at the water-pump body relative to the manifolds (which bolt to the head).

The chromed valve cover is the 54/55-1st (only) design that originally would have been painted.

WOW good read! Cant believe they made the 261's "full flow" oil filters. Cap off the oil ports like any 216/235, and your engine is DONE! Bet that got quite a few shade-tree mechanics.

I don't want to be argumentative but I still think it's a late 235, judging by the water pump. Look here on pages 3 and 4. Also see how low the fan is below center of the radiator.
(The man asked if he had the proper, or original engine.)
What do you think? I repeat, it won't hurt the value any unless he wants a concours truck.
I agree that his VIN is a 54 truck engine serial number - but I doubt that is the serial stamped on this engine. I don't know anything about UK, but he should probably try to get it registered by the body serial number J54.....
Is it a 1/2-ton or 3/4-ton?? Either way I'm sure you will love it once you get it home and get the paperwork straightened out.

Frank,

You could be right.

The "VIN" of 0500541F54XA was most likely representative of an engine serial number, but the engine (or ID plate) could have been changed. Gary says that the truck is a 3100 and the "VIN" seems to indicate a 1954 engine in a 3600?

Gary will know what to look for when he gets the truck. The engine serial number will be interesting to see. And, he will have a better look at the water pump.

Hi Everyone

THANKS for the posts, so it looks as though I have the possibility it may be a 3100 with a 3600 engine ?.

I have to agree with Frank50. That is a modified 1955-62 pump.
It also looks like the block has the 1958-62 motor mount bosses.
If you give us the casting date, which is just above the starter, we can tell you exactly the day, month, and year it was cast.

don't get truck in uk until late April

I'm blind I guess. Looking at the two pictures I see, I don't see an adapter plate between the water pump and block. Also, the water pump bolt on top is almost in line with the exhaust manifold bolt. I don't see any side motor mount Bolt holes. (Maybe I just can't see them). You can see the water pump does go above the block level.

In picture two I can't see the captains bars, but I can't seem to zoom in either. Could be there and I'm just not seeing them. Also, I don't see side motor mount bolt holes. You can also tell in picture two the water pump is above the block.

Does not look like my later 235 or 261 when it comes to the water pump and the side mount bolt holes.

At least this topic has generated some discussion... I agree with Tim; Gary can thorough examine it when he gets it later this month and determine for sure what it is.
But, when you look at the chevyeng2 pic and at pic # 14 (page 3) on the puget sound site, do you not see the same thing?? I think there is some optical illusion that one of the water pump bolts is aligned with a manifold bolt...
It's unfortunate that pic # 13 is a later 235 with the adapter plate and a 216 water pump used to demonstrate the earlier engine.

I'm getting a bit worried now .... Have I bought a truck with wrong engine ?

I don't think so from what I can see. I think it will turn out to be right.

Cheers Roy

If you compare his pic #1 with this PIC (which is a 1941-54/55 1st pump) you will see that he has the 55-62 pump.

By the position of the water pump this looks likes a 55 or later 235. A 54 water pump will be positioned to nearly to the bottom of the water (thermostat) outlet. The water pump in the photo you included appears to be lower. The 55 or later 235 actually has a better water pump design. Patrick's Truck Parts in AZ. (http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/ call or request a catolog) has a reproduction radiator designed to accommodate the later 235 in the 54 and older trucks.

Hope this helps
Walt Williams
La Verkin, UT

Gary
Have you got the truck yet?
Anything to report?