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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 6 | Hey Guys,
This is the first of a million questions I am sure to have, so thanks in advance - Also, this is my first attempt at restoring a stovebolt or any truck/car for that matter.
I have what I believe is a 1950 3800. The numbers on the door plate are pretty much totally worn off, but I can see the stamped numbers and I was also told it was a 1950.
I think it has an original 235 engine, but I was just reading that engines before 1954 had 2 bolts holding the cover on, while I have 4 screws. Does this mean the engine was likely replaced at some point in the past, or did 1950 235s have 4 screws/
first restoration under way! 1950 3800.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | The motor has more than likely been replaced. If you get the numbers off the pad by the distributor and post them someone will help decode them for you. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | The original engine for this truck would be a 216, the 235 engine available during that period was 1-1/2 ton or bigger (Loadmaster) only. Serial number and casting marks in the block and head will be the way to tell. In this picture you can clearly see the number on the pad as described. http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8473963443/in/set-72157632770756320 | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 6 | The numbers I have are 3769716 - seems like a 63' 235 engine to me?
the numbers on the head are 3835913 gm17
They numbers I was able to pull from the tag on the door were 6hsc1342
Thanks again for the help! I guess I need to get a new shop manual for the tear down of this engine...I bought the one for a 1950 truck.
first restoration under way! 1950 3800.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | Your Serial number decodes as the following:
6 HSC 1342
Oakland build in March 1950, series 3800.
Production number would indicate it was the 341st truck. Numbering system I believe starts like this for a year 1001. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 6 | huge thanks! I am a bit disappointed that the engine is not original (lack of knowledge on my part before I bought it) but it seems like this engine should be more reliable long term anyway.
Brad - also loved looking through your flickr photos! Great stuff!
first restoration under way! 1950 3800.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Minor comment, Brad: the first vehicle that year started with serial number 1001 (1001 would have been vehicle 1, the first vehicle), so 1342 would be the 342nd vehicle?
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