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#986523 11/15/2013 10:07 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
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K
New Guy
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Hi all,
sorry but its another engine question for you,
I recently purchased an engine from a 52 COE over here in the UK, I have searched the previous posts and info about engines, but with some confusion.
I have read that engine prefix KDA217289 should be a 52 235.
but I have the captains bars above the starter, and behind the manifolds, however the casting date on the engine is con 3 I244, which i believe to be September 24 1954 ?
another engine cast number in front of the fuel pump reads 3703414.
Numbers on the cylinder head are 3836850 GM1 con 12 and L135, which I think makes it December 13 1955??
with the two sets of captains bars, from what i read says its a 261? but is it? any help would be appreciated
thanks

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Shop Shark
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sounds like a 261

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Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Doesn't the 1953 216 have captain's bars?
Jerry


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'Bolter
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My sources show KDA as being from a 1952 COE 2 ton, 235.
It sounds like you have a replacement 261 that someone stamped with the KDA as that would most likely be what the truck was titled to.

Jerry, no 216's had Captains bars. The only engine besides a 261 that had them was the full pressure 1953 235.


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the block casting # and the head casting # you posted are both listed as 261.


-Tom

1950 Chevy 3100 w/ 1956 235
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Extreme Gabster
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According to Inliners International, 3703414 indicates a '54-56 261. That is strange because a '54 and a '56 engine are different.


"It's just a phase. He'll grow out of it." Mama, 1964

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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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3703414 = 1954 block casting code
I244 = September 24 1954

3836850 = head casting code used 54-63
L135 = December 13 1955

KDA = 5000 series 1952 235 engine

My guess is that you have a replacement engine that has the 1952 engine code that was on the engine that originally came in your truck.

Jerry,

The bars were also on one of the 1953 235 engines (maybe on the high pressure 235 used on Powerglide cars in 1953). Pre '68 Dave would know which '53 235, and if only one pair of bars was on the '53 block.



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I think block casting 3703414 & 3733950 are 1954-55.1.

1955.2 - 1957 had 2 different block numbers


-Tom

1950 Chevy 3100 w/ 1956 235
Joined: Sep 2001
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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cletis,

3703414 cannot be a block code for 54-56 (Inliners had a few other mistakes in its codes). The 54/55-1st block uses the older style water pump and the 55-2nd to 63 uses the newer style water pump.

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Extreme Gabster
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Originally Posted by tclederman
cletis,

3703414 cannot be a block code for 54-56 (Inliners had a few other mistakes in its codes). The 54/55-1st block uses the older style water pump and the 55-2nd to 63 uses the newer style water pump.


Yes, I know. That is why I said the listing is strange.


"It's just a phase. He'll grow out of it." Mama, 1964

1956 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100
1953 Chevy 6100 "The Yard dog"
1954 GMC Suburban Now with a new proud owner.
Joined: Jul 2005
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New Guy
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Hi all,
sorry for the delay in answering, but our internet host wont connect to stovebolt.com since an update, so I have to use a proxy server from now on.
Tim. I think that your explanation seems to be the most logical. Im sure that this is a 261.Its got a four blade fan with a short shaft water pump and both sets of captains bars.It was the prefix KDA that didnt seem right.
Thanks to everyone for the posts and thoughts

Kelvin


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