The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop engine types

how can you tell the difference between a 235 thriftmaster and a 235 load master engines in a 1955 235?

first clue would be the size truck it's in, the Loadmaster was 4000 series up I think - next would be the decal on the valve cover, if that's missing you'd have to pull it apart .... other than minor HP rating difference, the names are different, but you might find something else

Bill

You can usually tell the difference between a 1955 Thriftmaster & Loadmaster truck engine by the engine serial number.

That will also tell you/us if you are referring to a 1955-1st or 1955-2nd series truck engine (or, a car engine).

No telling if you have an original engine that matches your year/model without seeing the engine serial number.

There really is no difference between these two engines if you are just talking about the head, block and internals. They both put out the same HP and Torque. The external difference is the Loadmaster is set up for the big trucks with a governor.

Mike B

Regarding differences between Thriftmaster 235 and Loadmaster 235:

The Loadmaster had:
1. exhaust valve rotators
2. exhaust valves were made of XCR alloy

As Mike posted above, these minor "internal" differences resulted in no higher power (but, perhaps a longer-wearing Loadmaster head?).

There was about a 10% performance increase in 1955-2nd 235s compared to 1955-1st 235s (beside the difference in the water pump locations in/on the blocks). And, there was a 1st-2nd difference in the valve cover, if the engines did not have the PCV set up.

my motor came from a 55 chevy 1/2ton with a 3 speed tranny, so im guessing its a thriftmaster, my casting number is 3837004

The 235's all had the same casting numbers. The only way to identify the Thriftmaster and Loadmaster would be by the serial number.

Mike B