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#82209 08/27/2007 10:38 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 | What is the difference between a 235 383 head and a 848 head? Is one better than the other?
Thanks!
Samantha | | |
#82210 08/27/2007 11:11 PM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | The 848 is the most desirable head. It has a higher compression ratio.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | |
#82211 08/27/2007 11:27 PM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Samantha,
To be safe, you might want to post all the numbers.
There were a variety of 383 stovebolt heads, dating back to the 30's. Even the heads that ended in 348, started with 383.
Most likely, you are interested in heads ending in 848 (3836848), that were used from '56 onwards on 235 engines - they produce a little higher compression than earlier heads.
Tim | | |
#82212 08/28/2007 1:23 AM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 | Tim,
I have two heads, one has the numbers
CON12
3835913
GM1
the other has
B48848
B50
Thanks for your help!
Samantha | | |
#82213 08/28/2007 2:55 AM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | 3835913 is a 54-55 235 head B48848 is not a head code that matches the lists that I have. 3836848 is the 56-62 head code for the high compression head.  | | |
#82214 08/28/2007 3:05 AM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 | Thanks Tim! I'll check the second head again tomorrow for the right number - I think it is a 59 head. | | |
#82215 08/28/2007 1:23 PM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Hey Tim, are you sure on the years for the 3836848 head? I can't find it listed in any of the parts books I have so I just don't know. I was looking at an engine that is supposed to be a '55 passenger and noticed it had an 848 head on it. I didn't look at the engine numbers so I can't be sure of the year. Do you know what vehicles it was used on.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
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#82216 08/28/2007 2:11 PM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Denny, No, I am not sure of the years for the 848 head. The information that I have on head codes has come from a variety of charts available on the Internet (that Warren Foster & I compiled on this web page) . An 848 head (as a replacement) might be found (now) on any 1954-1962 235 or 261 engine (coolant holes should have been drilled in the head, if installed on a 261). I think they were originally installed on 56-62 235s for trucks and passenger cars - I do not have a factory document to support this assumption. I have a 1954 235 that I purchased a few years ago - it has an 848 head and I assume that it is a replacement head. I do not know if there is a date casting on 235 heads (as there is on a 235 block) - maybe someone will post information on this. Tim | | |
#82217 08/28/2007 2:26 PM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Denny, The 1957 edition of the Chevrolet Master Parts Catalog (thanks again, Keith Hardy and TOCMP) shows the "848" head as the replacement head available in 1957 for all high pressure 235s (1953 Powerglide (and Corvette) 235s and ALL other 235s through 1957). So, the 848 was obviously available in 1957. The big horsepower increase in all 1956 235s was probably at least partially a result of the introduction of the higher compression (848) 235 head? Tim | | |
#82218 08/28/2007 4:03 PM | Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 455 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 455 | Did a little research a while back:
3835913 head was used first on 235 1st Series 54/55 trucks and again on 235 58-62 cars (together with 848 heads).
3836848 head was used first on 235 2nd series 55 trucks.
I used to have a 913 head dated 1958, which confirms this casting history.
Anybody's guess why chevy used both heads for the later 235 cars.
A stock 235 - 913 has 7.5:1 comp ratio
A stock 235 - 848 has 8.25:1 | | |
#82219 08/29/2007 3:25 AM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Okey dokey, and by the way has anyone thanked you and Warren for your work lately?? Thanks; I refer to your site a lot. I have a parts book, effective date May 1977 and it makes no mention of the 848 head.
Thanks to you also Chris, so I’m either looking at a ’55 truck engine or it was a ’55 passenger car that had the head replaced at some time or it’s not a ’55 engine. Where did you get your information from Chris?
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
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