The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine ID Help

Howdy all!

I realize this is a truck forum, but since many engines were shared back in the day, I was hoping someone here might be able to help identify the engine in the '54 210 I just purchased. I'm very familiar with restoration and engine work, but exclusively on V6/V8. Inline is a new challenge!

I'm fairly certain it is Blueflame 235cid, as the car has an automatic. However, I know there were changes from '53-'54 with regards to the oil pressurization. I'm trying to sort out which exact power plant I have, as the normal identification location seems to be missing any sort of numbering after I de-greased.

Also, as you can see, at some point in the past the head has run away from the vehicle. Once identified, anyone know of a reliable source of cylinder heads? My google searching turned up nothing.

Thanks in advance!

Photobucket *Here are the pics of the block and the only markings I could find.*

Edit - Forgot to mention, this is a Canadian vehicle! First picture shows the ID Tag from under the hood.

Are you sure it has an automatic? I see it has a stick shift, shift transmission on the column.
I will leave the engine identification to the Canadian members.
It does look like a 1954 engine.

Not entirely sure! Now I feel like a total noob, haha. I've honestly never worked on anything older than the late 70's. I saw the column shifter, but the lack of clutch pedal tossed me for a bit. Would it not be an automatic with the lack of clutch mechanism, or am I missing something?

Can you post a photo of the transmission? Especially where the shift linkages attach to the transmission?

I'm going to take a swag: The engine has the water pump completely in the block which would indicate a 55 or later 235 (or 261). The cast number appears to be a date code G 9 8 = July 9 1958. If that is correct then a later motor was swapped in at some point. The absence of a stamped serial number might mean it was a replacement/ service block. I also saw the 3-speed shifter box on the column. Where is the shifter? Is there a hole in the floor for the clutch pedal?
That poor motor looks sad. You DO have your work cut out for you. There are still lots of 235's out there. A correct 54 might not be too hard to find. That one may/may not be salvageable.
Good luck.

Frank, I am not sure what picture you saw, but I see the two holes in the front of the block for the water pump used up to 1954 in cars.

These Canadian engines can be a mystery sometimes. Dave is right, the 2 water ports in the block were used up through '54, and I count 18 head bolt holes so this would appear to be a '53 PG engine or a '54. But, the date code looks to be a '58 as Frank points out.

Interesting......

I'm not sure that is a date code he posted.
I am not familiar with Canadian engines, but I have not seen date codes on the drivers side, like in pic.
If there is a date code above the starter like US engines I would like to see that.

Sorry. Apparently I didn't look at the pictures carefully enough. I do see the water pump holes now. I also didn't notice where the G98 was. So given that, I don't have anything constructive to offer. Never mind. As you were.

Can anybody say for sure if this is a '54 or a new block that got swapped in? I've got a '56 cylinder head that looks like it all lines up, but I can't figure out to order the '55+ or '54- fastener kit from langdon's.

If it were a US engine I could tell you for sure,but...
On US engines you would look at the casting date just above the starter.
I would also look at the pan rails. Up through 54 they are straight on both sides. Starting in 55 the pan rail bulges outward on the distributor side.
The only difference in fastener kits I can think of though would be the water pump bolts, so I would buy the 54 kit as yours has the 54 pump design.

Thanks! I can finally get started on ordering everything in for the spring re-build. Any known issues using a '56 head on '54 block?

Perfect fit! You will only need a reducer for the temp sender.

Might be a good idea to pull that motor out and apart to be sure it is rebuildable before you order a lot of parts

Hy mednorth, 55"A" or first series was the last production that had the water pump bolt on the outside of the block, as is the case with your block. You should be able to find a casting number on the block, by the fuel pump, or starter, that number would help identify the engine. I would not order anything for the engine until I was sure it was worthy of a rebuild. If it is the correct engine for the car, it would be a full pressure lubed engine, with shim adjusted main bearings. Try and find some casting numbers and get back to us with those.

Thanks for the replies! I'll get out and try to find a casting number after work tonight. With the sun setting ever earlier and -30 temps it hasn't been the easiest to work in my soft-walled garage. I won't be ordering parts until the block gets into the local shop for a rebuild assessment. I just want to find all the online links so I can hit the 'order now' button once I know it's going ahead.