The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine ID (again)

I had a 1951 Chevy farm truck with the hoist bed given to me recently, and my buddy bought it so he could cabbage the 5 window cab for a project he's working on. I believe it's a ton and a half. What I'm trying to determine is what kind of engine is in it, as it's out of my league by going back that far. The numbers I've found on it so far are FO 215 JC near the distributor pad.
The numbers 858848 50 are on the passenger side just above the 3rd spark plug hole.
And on the drivers side I found the numbers 3836848 GM25.
I've tried using the search forum and have accomplished nothing more than info overload and got lost. Any help would be appreciated.I already have a couple of 216 engines sitting in the shop and if this comes out to be a 235, may use it in a 38 Master sedan I'm thinking of putting back together.If it's another 216, I guess it'll join the rest of the dust collectors in the corner under wraps looking for a good home. Thanks
Tramp

3836848 is a 1956-1962 235 head, a high pressure lubrication system 235.

3100-3800 series truck with heavy duty clutch

You need the block and head date casting codes to determine the year of the head and the block.

The 3836848 is the HEAD, which means the BLOCK must be a 235 or 261 as this head will not fit on a 216. So find the number on the block down near the fuel pump, usually covered in crud, that number will prove which block you have.

Thanks folks. I have to run right now and attend a blues concert in Wichita, but soon as the sun comes up in the morning I'm heading out to the barn with my putty knife and wire brushes to see what other numbers I can find. Looks like the 38' is going to get an update if things work out right.
Tramp

Mornin' Boys and girls,
Seems like last nite and this morning kinda ran together and are blurry around the edges after staying out too late. But as promised, I went out this a.m. and found the block casting numbers you had told me of. Yep...you were right about them being hid under a few generations of crud.
What I found(if these old failing eyes were working right)was the numbers 3769716.
I'm just about really, and truly finished with the 64', and now it's time to consider starting on another project while I still have decent health and a few extra dollars to spend. The 38' is complete, minus the front grill and both bumpers. Rough, but complete, and the engine that's in it is the original 216 with a lot of issues. If this works, I'll be happy with the 235. Anyone and everyone can put a 350 Chevy in it, and it'd be just another hot rod, like several thousand others. But to have a strong running 6 banger, well...that's another thing in itself. Thanks for your help with all of this.
Tramp

That is a 1958-1962 235 block.

If you want to know the dates when that block and head were cast, post the date casting codes. The locations of those codes are shown at the link in the post above.