BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
| | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics126,777 Posts1,039,270 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | 
#79046 06/22/2007 4:42 AM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 | A friend wants me to go look at a 48 1/2 ton on saturday.All he knows is that it has a 6 in it.How do you tell the difference between a 216 and 235 on the outside?I think it has something to do with the lifter cover. thanks | | |
#79047 06/22/2007 5:36 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 | BC,
That's kind of a loaded question there. The early 235's, ie 48's, were babbit/low pressure engines. In appearence, you'd never know the difference between one of these, and a 216.
Now when you get into the later 235's, the valve cover's are different, held on by 4 bolts into the head, rather than the two acorn nuts on top. Also, the side covers are different.
On the early 216/235's, the side cover was tall, and went up and around the spark plugs. The later 235's it was a short cover that stopped well below the plugs.
With all of that said, a 48 - 1/2-ton would have normally come with a 216, as the 235's were made for the larger trucks.
I have a 48 - 235 in my 52 1/2-ton, good motor.
Hope that helps. | | |
#79048 06/22/2007 5:44 AM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 | Ok,valve cover and side cover.thank you ,Jed | | |
#79049 06/22/2007 5:47 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 | You're welcome BC.
By the way, I sure like that 52 of yours. What do you have in the front suspension, mono's, IFS? | | |
#79050 06/22/2007 6:10 AM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 843 | Hi Jed.The front subframe is 72 Nova | | |
#79051 06/22/2007 5:58 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 | Sure sits nice. Thanks for the response. | | |
#79052 06/22/2007 6:09 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | Isn't there also a difference in the water pump. On one the top sits above the head and the other the top is below the top of the head. Something like that anyway. | | |
#79053 06/22/2007 6:34 PM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 | The 1953 and 1954 full pressure 235s had the short side cover and the higher mounted waterpumps like the 216s. | | |
#79054 06/22/2007 6:53 PM | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | The best way to tell for sure what you have is to write down the engine number (stamped number usually to the left of the distributor) then go to: http://chevy.tocmp.com/models/engine.htm#41eng | | |
#79055 06/22/2007 7:46 PM | Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 439 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 439 | 216's have the harmonic balancer with teeth for the hand crank.
235's have a intake that looks like 'some strong guy' grabbed it and twisted it. | | |
#79056 06/22/2007 9:03 PM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | BC52, If you are asking about external differences between a 1948 216 and a 1948 235, I think there are not any, except for the casting numbers. If you are comparing 216s and 235s from different years, this table might help If anyone sees any mistakes in the table, please let me know. Tim Oops, the info in the table is for USA Chevrolet engines. | | |
|
|
