The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Adjusting Valve Lash on 235

I have to replace the valve cover gasket on my 235. I believe the engine is a 58-62 vintage.

Is there a procedure and spec for valve lash? Figure I should do it while I have the cover off.

Also, how do I figure out what year my 235 is. Its in a 1950 that originally would have had a 216...

Thanks!

Post the # right behind the distributor on the flat surface on the block than I can look it up in my book.You'll first have to know what engine you have to see if it has solid or hyd. liffters


Pete

Will do that.

Valve cover is coming off either way, will I be able to tell by the rockers if its hydraulic (no rocker lash adjustment?) or not?

Various casting codes and the engine serial number are found in these locations.

Both have adjustable rockers.If you remove the lifter cover hyds have a clip on the top of the lifter holding them together and solids will not.

Pete

Number right behind the starter on the block is either I or L then 248, according to what Tim posted that would be a 58?

Do you need any other numbers to help tell what it is?

There should be a flat machined area right behind the distributor with stamped numbers on it thats the number to post. From that we can tell you what engine model you have.

Pete

3764476

3764476 is a block casting number and it looks like that was used on 56-62 235 truck blocks.

That number is not the engine serial number, which is in the "flat machined area right behind the distributor with stamped numbers", as described by Pete (and which provides additional, useful identification information, as Pete posted).

Have to get that one tonight. Sure are a lot of numbers on these things, no wonder its confusing...

FI 227B

Here is a guess

F1222B?
F = Flint
12 = Dec
27 = 27th
B = 6 cylinder Powerglide (non-truck, with hydraulic lifters)
The above code works for multiple years, starting in 1957

The engine serial number had different formats and some (like this one?) did not not ID the year.

I confirmed the number.

F the letter i 227 B

what about this one Guys? I think it's a 58'ish 235. Not original to the truck, im sure.

FII03A - by the Distrib. (those are "i"'s not One's)
3769716 - casting code

thanks
stu

Duwem & sm,

Are they "I"s or "i"s (as apposed to "1"s)?

mine is
FII03A - by the Distrib.

those are 2 Capital "I"'s not "1"'s

F-"Eye"-"Eye"-03A

stu

Yes, that "I" for "1" punch has been commonly reported. I could not figure out the "i"s.

3764476 says its a 58.

So the valve lash spec?

"3764476 is a block casting number and it looks like that was used on 56-62 235 truck blocks."

However, if you think it is a 1958 engine (easily determined by head date-casting code and block date-casting code - locations shown at a link given above), then check a 1958 Truck or Car Owner's Manual or a 1958 Truck or Car Shop Manual.

A truck manual if is a truck engine (solid lifters) or a car manual if it is a car engine (hydraulic lifters).

Car Owner's Manual says no adjustment for hydraulic lifters, but an adjustment might be needed.

for solid lifters - the Truck Owner's manual for 1959 (close enough).

Sorry, should have said the 248 behind the starter would indicate 1958 according to the link.

If I pull the valve cover and post the picture I would assume that would help?

Pictures of the engine are located here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=435302

Sorry, Duwen, I missed your post with that block date code. I think you are correct with the 1958 interpretation (someone will correct us if we are wrong).

I248 = Sep 24 58
L248 = Dec 24 58

Nice photos of your truck that you linked-to on the other discussion board. Looks like you are very industrious. Pictures are nice to see - too bad none are allowed here.

It looks like you have a 54/55 235 valve cover (it has breathing slits in it).

Yes, the head date code is under the valve cover.

Pulled the valve cover. Found these numbers on the head:

Seen with cover on:
3835913
GM 12

Once removing the cover found these:

CON 9 G14

Does this help any?

Wiggling the rocker arms there does not appear to be any lash right now.

Here are some pictures with the cover off:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/duwem/DSC01951.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/duwem/DSC01950.jpg


Any tips for resealing the valve cover? It had a cork gasket with a ton of orange RTV on either side. Should I try to straighten out the parts where the 4 screws go as they are dished some?

Got a new cork gasket.

Anyone? Hoping to get this back together and running again.

Duwen,

I cannot figure out that code and it looks like you have posted it correctly (nice photos). Maybe someone will post an explanation/interpretation?

Stu, you'rs is a '58-'62 235 Passenger car with manual transmission engine, built at Flint on November 3rd. There should be a casting date near the sarter that will get you the year.
BTW, the "II" is supposed to be "11". I don't know whay they used I instead of 1, but I've seen it on several engines, including my own.

I gota think looking at the rocker arms in the pictures someone can tell me if its hydraulic or solid lifters. One would think since there are adjusters it would be solid, but your saying even the hydraulics had adjusters?

The rocker arms on solid and hydraulic lifter engines are identical. The only way to be sure is to remove the side cover and look at the lifters themselves. Hydraulic lifters have a 2-piece construction with a small spring clip at the top which keeps the lifter parts from separating when the pushrod is removed. Solid lifters have 1-piece construction.
Jerry

I don't know about the lifters but if you really have a hose going from the fuel pump to the carb, I would be replacing that now with a steel line.

Yes, it is a passenger car engine (from engine serial number).
Yes, it came from the factory with hydraulic lifters (all 56-62 235 car engines had hydraulic lifters).
Yes, it has a 1958 block date code (shown above).

Does anyone have an interpretation for the head date-casting code?
CON 9 G14 (it looks like Duwen got that code from the correct location - check his photos).

Duwen, Jerry's advice is the best advice to be be certain that your engine still has hydraulic lifters. Check a lifter. You'll most likely have to replace the side cover gasket.

Tim,

Is G14 his head date code?
Head casting 3835913 was available in 54.
And as you pointed out his valve cover is a 54/55.

Duwem, Yes, straighten out the dished valve cover.
If you don't it will probably leak.
The "dish" comes from cranking the screws down too tight.

Tom,

That is what Duwen has in one of his posts above:

CON 9 G14

And, it can be seen in this photo:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/duwem/DSC01950.jpg

Con 9 is not part of the date code is it?
Date code G14 = July 1, 1954.

The yellow valve springs and vented valve cover in his pic are also from 1954-55.

With any valve closed: loosen 1 adjuster until the rocker clacks on the valve stem.
Wait a minute or 2.
Now try to tighten the adjuster.
If the valve opens, it's a solid tappet.
If the pushrod goes down, it's a hydraulic tappet.

Shucks, I put the valve cover back on an hour before you posted that, with RTV on the cork gasket...

Oh well, just want to get back to driving it before the white stuff starts to fly.