The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop best head to use 3701887 or a 3836848

I am sorry for this again i posted this about a week ago and it came up missing during the server switchover. I never was able to see the answers to what I asked.

I have a 1956 - 235 motor that was completely frozen. it was in a 3100 pick up. The head, and motor had so much crud and sledge in it so I was not sure if the block was good. its fate now is resting in a machine shop of ho tanking and inspection. I bought a 1955 - 235 motor as a back up. The 56 motor head had a casting #3836848 and the 55 motor had a head casting number #3701887. Does anyone know which is the better head? The 56 head was completely rused and gunked up but the 55 head was very clean.

I will rebuild one and just want the better head to use.

again sorry if this is a repost I just can not find the original question. thanks again

848 head was the most used head for those years, it don't matter,either one will work for you,do the one with less work to do.,make sure that they have the water sending unit that you need, there's a big and small one, 848 has the big one, i don't know about the 887 head.

Me either but I do know the following combustion chamber sizes relative to casting number:

3836848= 79.1 cc
3835913= 86.2 cc
3836850= 86.2 cc
3703570= 95.5 cc

Thank you Curt! That's good to know.

The 848 seems to be the "preferred" head for most restorers. It's got a little more compression than the earlier heads and it really makes a 261 engine come alive when it's used on one of them. I don't think there's a port shape or breathing advantage, just a smaller combustion chamber.
Jerry

3101887 is the code for a 1953 235 head. Does your head have the two bolt valve cover or the 4 screw valve cover?

As posted above, the 848 head provides better performance (higher compression).

The 3101887 has both. its being used as the 2 bolt because the person I bought the engine off of told me it was originally the 4 screw valve cover and he converted it. I still see the four holes where it meets the head however it is attached by the top two bolts. A little confusing huh. The motor the head sits on is from a 1955 235 motor, #3836233, 07250 59F55Y.thanks guys for all the help

Any 4-screw head can be adapted to use the 2-bolt valve cover by simply substituting two studs at the proper location for the bolts that would normally attach the rocker shaft stands. Some people even go the the trouble to phony up a tall pushrod cover to make a 235 resemble a 216 when one is installed in an older truck.
Jerry

My suggestion is to go to the 848 head. Then if you have the money send it to Mike Kirby at Sissell's, Automotive in West Covina and have him work the whole head over. When it gets back you won't believe what a difference a head properly ported and polished with larger valves will do. It is amazing! There are others who can do the same work with the same results but I use Sissell's when ever I'm doing inline head work. Their workmanship is tremendous!
Normbc9

Ksissell's is Great to do the 230-292 heads, I have used his stuff in the past,big 292 stuff,lots of welding in those ports,and worked well with big roller cams. Great work from them!