VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 235 CI Motor

Thanks, I need info on 6 cylinder motor I just got.
Block numbers are: 3837004 GM 18
CON 4 K 25
Main Bearing: 3701488
Head: CON 12
3835499 GM1
Thanks for info.
M Courtney

Acording to David Hayward's web site the number 3837004 is a 55-57 235 block and the number 3835499 is a 1954 261 truck engine head.
here is the web site: Chevrolet casting numbers

my mistake, the eyes read 383 in stead of 363!

The 3835499 head is for a 1950-52 235 engine and will not fit on the block youhave listed because it uses fewer head bolts.

The block should have the single large hole in the front for the water pump - with the pump removed you will see the front cylinder barrel.

Mel, check and see if the head may be a 3635499 that is the one for a 54 261
is this a new engine you found ?

Thanks, MrMack.

Thank You Chevgene, I just bought it, have not even looked at it good. Was complete rebuild as was head.
Does have the large hole for water pump.
What about 3701887 GM 14 - Head? Will it fit this block?
I am just a novice at this!
Thanks for the advice.

The 3701887 head is a 1953 235 and will fit although the later 235 heads had a higher compression ration...7.50 to 1 VS later 8.25 to 1.The improvement in 1953 and up were the additional number of head bolts.The 1953 and up had the three additional head bolts under the rocker arms that the 3835499 did not have...The 1954 parts book incorrectly list the casting number for a 261 head as 3835499.

No, it is 3835499, just checked it again.
Thanks.

Thanks again Chevgene.
Your help is appreciated.

One more thing guys, will this cam work with this block?
GM 37
3836127
D27
That is all the numbers on it.
Thanks

Mel, I looked in the 29 to 54 parts catalog and also the GM 50 - 65 interchange manual and didn't find a cam with the number of 3836127.

THEN....

I went to this website:
reground cams Chevrolet 6 cylinder
They show:
54-62 235 mech 3836127 cast cam DOT...


the home page for: perfectengine.com
PERFECTENGINE

The 1957 and 1959 books show a camshaft casting number of 3836127 and having a part number of 3836127But this is in the casting number ID section only..Also it is shown as a discontinued number in the casting number section.For some reason the number is not listed in the history section which shows discontinued numbers and a replacement number if one was used.
The number does not appear in the 1954,57 or 59 parts books in the regular section.

I would also guess its a 1954-55 solid lifter cam of some sort...but one problem is the early 1954 solid cam had smaller journals than the late '54.The FRONT journal was 2" on the early and 2.14 on the late.I wouldn't take a chance with that cam.
Are you hoping to use solid or hydralic lifters?Not all of those blocks were drilled for the oil supply for hydralics.If it drilled you will see a hole to the front and rear in each lifter bore in the block,

The numerical listing in the 29-54 parts catalog shows that the casting # 3836127 is a camshaft and has a part # of 3836127 and it is not listed in the group number section. since it is listed by the cam regrinding company as a 54-62 it should be a later model cam for a 235.


Where did you find this camshaft Mel?

The numerical listing in the 29-54 parts catalog shows that the casting # 3836127 is a camshaft and has a part # of 3836127 and it is not listed in the group number section. since it is listed by the cam regrinding company as a 54-62 it should be a later model cam for a 235.



Where did you find this camshaft Mel? Is it a reground cam?

It was in the 55 235 block I bought as a total rebuilt engine.
The pistons, rods, inserts, etc look new,as does the cam and crankshaft.That is all I know, but will learn more as I go on.