The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Is this a 54/55 first 235?

I know the serial number will tell all and I should have that information tomorrow. I have very little experience (none) with the GM straight six but I think this looks like a high water pump. Can you spot anything amiss from this dark and crappy photo?

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It looks correct to me!
Has the correct valve cover.
Looks like the side mount bosses are not drilled and threaded, so it looks like it is from a truck.
The number behind the distributor will confirm.

Looks like a '55 to me although mated to an earler style starter.

Drew, that would be the correct foot starter for a '55 truck.

How would you tell a 54 from a 55-1st truck engine without knowing the engine code?

One of the things "amiss" is the color.

looks like a pre- 55 2nd to me

Orange????

DG

After doing extensive research, it has been determined that a shade of orange/red was used on engines in the Baltimore truck assembly plant (in honor of the first year of the Orioles).

There is no difference between a 54 and a 55 1st series except the code next to the distributor.

???
The engine has obviously been repainted.

Post the casting numbers so we can help.If it's all original from factory,I'll say 1954 235 .

The 1954 valve cover had the slot cutouts in the top of the cover.



Tim

Thank you, Dave

Tim, that valve cover has the 54/55-1st slots/slits in it. I have that style valve cover on my 1960 261, to make me feel better about putting that engine in my 1954 Suburban.

As you know and posted, if someone wants a definitive identification, casting codes and the engine ID/serial number is the best way to identify an engine's block and head.

The engine number I got from the seller is

0151598F550

I cant figure out what the last digit means

Might it be F55Q ?

That would be a 1955-1st 5000 series with a HD (261) engine

If you gave the head and block casting codes, they will help with the ID

I have asked the seller if the last digit is really a 0. I will call him this evening to get some casting numbers. I am guessing if it really is a 261 it's not something i would want to put in my truck.

Thanks Guys,

Joe

Why not?

Okay, let's try it again. This time with the last letter being a U

Joe

That would make it a 1955 1st series, 235 Thriftmaster with heavy duty clutch, 3100 (1/2 ton) truck.

Sweet, that's what I want. Incidentally I just got a few more casting numbers

3835913 head
B34912 head
K104 block above the starter
3885911 block near the fuel pump

It seems the go to place for identifying an engine is the Old Car Manual project page but it doesn't list Q or U and the 54 I used to have ( I still miss that truck) ended in X and that's not listed their either. What am I missing?

Thank you very much to everyone that helped my through this purchase. I now have the engine and transmission I needed.

Joe

I can answer my own question now on the serial numbers, when you go the old car manual page there is a summary page that lists the engine serial numbers by year. Don't use that summary, go to the specific manual for your year and look up serial numbers. There will be a section on serial numbers that will include engines, transmissions and rear ends.

you mean this one
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/54057.htm

Also, recheck your block casting # should be 3835911.

I was thinking that Tom, the owner was using a flashlight in a dimly lit shed to read the numbers. Unfortunately I cannot get the engine until Easter time. I am working in Germany and won't be back in the States until then. Even then it's a six hour drive to get the motor and transmission.

So far my Chevrolet is really seeing the USA....truck from Arizona, box from California, and the engine from Virginia. Now I just need a few parts from Florida ( the driver is from Michigan) :-)

my book says block is a 1953-1955 PG
head 1954-57 235 small temp sender


Tim

Tim, what book are you looking in?

F55Q and F55U are 1st series 1955 truck engine codes (this is a large download). The two 1955 trucks specifications manuals are not on the Old Chevrolet Manuals website - they are available at the GM Heritage Center.

Tim,
Did you ID the engine based on casting codes or engine serial number?

Tim,I didn't look at the engine serial number.

I looked at the casting numbers and referred to my inline 6 engines book.

MSA-1
Chevy
Inline 6 Engines 1929-1989
Factory Casting Number & Code Guide

Oltrucks on this site use to sell them,he still may.

Does the block have the captain bars on it ?


Tim

Tim, one needs to be careful with most casting number compilation charts, most have many errors.
I prefer GM charts like the one the other Tim linked to above.

Tim,

If that is the small booklet that has GMC and Chevrolet codes in it, that little booket has more than a few conflicting/erroneous entries in it.

Do any of the Master Parts Books have head and block casting codes in them?

I have made a table of block/head casting casting codes gathered from various web sites, but there are conflicting and questionable entries.

1954 Parts book, bottom of page
1957 parts book

I am interested in block and head casting codes. I think those codes are all engine serial numbers.