VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 47 chevy engine numbers

I'm frustrated. Thought I had a '47 216 ci engine in my 47 sedan delivery, but I guess not. Don't want to assume it's a 235 though as I need a new exhaust manifold. Anybody know where to trace engine numbers? On the drivers side there is 3836848 with a GM20 below that. Near the starter it says B47 848 with 850 below that.Thanks for any help.

Well, Ok Bert, I looked up the number you posted 3836848 and it shows to be a 1956 Chevrolet 235. That should not be too hard to verify, it should have a new model waterpump on it the hole in the block should be round. here is the link to the source for finding the casting numbers. Chevrolet engine casting numbers I found the number in file 3

Thanks MrMack, but I guess I don't understand the chart. Is that a starting number? I see the '56 235 listed as 3837007.

The numbers listed on the chart are cylinder head and engine block CASTING numbers, not serial numbers. Heads and blocks are identified by year and application by their individual casting numbers (the cylinder head has a different casting number than the engine block).

So the number I can identify is the Cylinder Head number, showing that it's a 235 '56. Should that be sufficient for a positive ID?

For the cylinder head. I would also verify the engine block as well.

I was chatting with a fellah several months ago who has been running a service station for as long as I can remember. Probably as long as there have been cars anyway. Anyway, he told me that a quick way to tell if you have a 216 or 235 is to look at the plate on the side of the engine with the spark plugs. 216's have a single large plate and the 235's are two pieces one over the other. I haven't actually looked at a 235 to confirm this, but my 216 does have one large cover on the plug side.

The 235's have a small rush rod cover below and an exposed cylinder head above......unless you have one of the 1940's 235 truck engines. Those are identical to the 216's since they have a full push rod cover instead. :eek: :eek: