The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 ID help

I have a 235 motor that I'm trying to identify. I know that it is a 58-62 235 by the casting #3764476. I have included a link to the ID pad on the block just behind the distributor. The date code on the block appears to be A88. The date code on the cylinder head looks like 913. The casting number on the head is 3835913. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Don

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...S4QlwUE/s800/2012-06-10_15-55-47_129.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...4Z0JTn9Q/s912/2012-06-10_15-56-29_76.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...jc-IsyxI/s512/2012-06-10_15-56-55_48.jpg

Don,

Here's a try at interpretation:


3835913 = 54/55 235 head

Head date: 913 = Sept 1 1953 or 1963? (2 bolt valve cover(1953) or 4 machine screw valve cover (1953)


3764476 = 56-62 truck block

Block date: A88 = Jan 8 1958


217 in the engine serial number location on the block?
Some sort of replacement-engine code?


Maybe others can provide better information?

Thanks Tim. The valve cover is held on with 4 screws.

The 913 you show is not the head date code, just the last three digits of the casting number. The date code will be under the valve cover and will start with a letter.

Thanks Dave, I'll pull the valve cover and get the numbers.
Thanks again, Don

Is there really such thing as a from 56 to a 62 block? There is a caution notice in the factory shop manual, 1958 truck, page 8-10 to not install early 1957 mechanical tappets in 1958 six cylinder truck engines. So there is a difference.

It always drives me nuts when they give such a wide year range. For a replacement engine Chev may have sold one that spanned all those years, but there were many changes in factory installed engines through the years.
For one engines did not have provisions for center side mounts until 1958, and I could go on.

Yes, there are apparently differences in blocks with the same casting code. That information I posted came from Inliners.com and Beck's Machine & Tool .

I pulled the valve cover off today. The code is, D 14 55. I also noticed that the oil tube coming up in the center of the rocker shaft is pinched off, is that someones idea of a fix? Just curious.
Thanks Again,
Don

It is common to see the tube pinched off to send more oil to the rockers.

Don,

When the engine is running, does oil come out of the rocker-shafts/rocker-arms? If so, all is well with the rocker arm lubrication.

I'm going to hook up a remote gas can and get a battery in and get it going. I want to run it and check it out before I pull it out. I'm guessing that the cylinder head is a '55? Would this be a replacement motor for a car or pickup based on the numbers? I can always pull the side cover and have a look at the lifters to see what I've got.
Thanks for the help
Don

Don,

The engine can be better identified with more codes.

Here are locations of engine codes.

The engine serial number Is usually helpful in determining the model in which the engine was first installed.

Thanks Tim, I posted pics in my first post of the numbers I found. Thats where I am confused, I believe its either a factory replacement short block or remanufactured by an outside source that stamps their own number into the block. I'm interested at your interpretation of the pictures.
Thanks Don

Sorry, Don

OK, you have a 1955 head (D 14 55).

If all you have is "217" where the engine serial number is found on the block (as shown in your first post - to the rear of where the distributor enters the block), then there is a good chance it is a replacement block: either factory and the 217 was stamped by the installer; or from another 56-62 (a 58 block - see below) vehicle and the old code was ground off and the 217 was stamped by the rebuilder/installer (the block was apparently cast in January 1958, A88)?