The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Need help identifying my motor

I've got a 49 3800 Chevy with what I originally thought was a 216. Now, I'm not so sure that it's a 216. I've seen a couple of 216s, and they had two studs in the center of the valve cover. Also, I read in my shop manual that a 216 is supposed to run about 14 pounds of oil pressure. My motor has two bolts on each side of the valve cover, and runs about 15 psi of oil pressure at a warm idle and pegs my 30psi gauge when going down the road. I'm sure it's not too modern, because it still has the draft tube(no pcv) and has no oil filter. Is there a casting number that I can use to id this engine? Maybe it's an early 235?

There should be a stamped serial number on the machined pad next to the distributor. Thsi number will tell what the engine was and what it originally was installed in.

Cool. Once I get this number, where would I look to decipher it? Thanks.

"Modern" is a relative thing. It looks like you have a more modern version of the 235. Here are locations of various codes. Post what you find and people will help you figure out what you have.

The road draft tube was used on all 235s. The PCV system was only used on step vans and some larger trucks (and as an option available only on larger trucks). An oil filter was an option on all 235s.

An "early" 235 would have had a 2-bolt valve cover and a few other distinguishing external/internal characteristics, depending on the year and depending on if was originally installed in a passenger car or in a truck. The various codes (and especially the engine serial number) will tell you a lot about the origin of the engine.

Thanks Tim. I'll be back home weekend after next and will find and post my numbers then. Oh, also, there's pictures of both sides of my motor in the link in my signature.

I can tell you from the side mounts and no oil distributor it is a 1953 or 54 engine.
If it is a 53 than it is a full pressure 235.
It is more likely a 54, then it could be a 235 or a 261.

The valve cover has the 4 vents.
Were vents 54 only?

4-bolt valve cover with vents - 1954/55-1st only. Of course, 4-bolt valve covers could be swapped over the years between 54-63 235/261 engines.

Dang, ya'll are good. I haven't even been home to get the number off the motor, and I already have a pretty good idea what it is. I guess my next question would be...Is this going to be a full pressure motor, or is it babbit?

Full pressure!

Sweet! Thanks.

I was able to swing by the house today, and I got the serial number off of the pad behind the distributor. The best I can tell it's 0038905T55X.

Edit: Just for the heck of it I did a forum search for "T55X". This is too cool, the only search result was a post by tclederman from back in 2002. In this post he told me exactly what I was wanting to know. Ready?? My motor is a 1955 235 from Tonawanda that was originally in a half ton pickup. Awesome! Thanks everyone.

To be a little more specific, it's a '55 First Series 3100 235 engine. That will be perfect for your '48, as it has the water pump in the correct position.