VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 55 chevy 235 oil capacity

I recently picked up a 54 five window. Apparently, none of the drivetrain is stock. The casting #'s on the engine block indicate it's a 55. The owner's manual I bought for a '54 indicates that the 235 for that year takes 5 quarts of oil. I drained the oil and put 5 quarts back in, but nothing showed up on the dipstick. I figured I just had the wrong dipstick for the engine, but I spoke with someone today who said some 235's had an 8 quart capacity. Does anyone know if this could be the case, and if so, why some with 5 qts and some with 8? Was it simply a design change in 55, or were there 2 different engines available, and is the 8 quarter supposedly a better engine? Any help appreciated.

I may be out of line but 5 quarts should show up on an 8 quart dip stick. My guess is some one has the wrong dip stick in there. I have not heard of an 8 quart capacity in a 235, 5 quarts with one more for the filter should do it. It is possible I have not heard everything however!

Some earlier 6 cyl. large trucks had a special deep oil pan but not in '55.You should have a tube that the dip stick goes into.Now that you know that you have the correct amount of oil I would "adjust" the dip stick tube (like shorten it) till the dip stick reads full.

Glynn, I agree, but we tried a longer dipstick and it barely showed up on that one. I still think that I simply may not have the correct dipstick yet. And, this engine doesn't have an oil filter.

235 engine should have 5 qt.s capacity when I put in exactly 5 qts. it comes to the full line (engine has no filter) I don't think you have the right dipstick or the dipstick tube is wrong, I never saw a 235 in a 54 or 55 pickup or even a C6500 with a 261 six that held over 5 quarts without a filter, the filters were larger on the larger trucks. The tube that the dipstick goes into may not be seated all the way into the block.
You do realize that the 54 and 55 trucks were in a transitional period, don't you? I have seen 54 trucks with 55 drivelines (open driveshafts) the new body style 55-56-57 is called 55 second series and the 55 with the advance body , Open driveshaft one piece windshield is called 55 first series.

Just checked the dip stick & tube demensions. 1954 dip stick from stop washer to full mark 13 5/16" and tube is 6 3/4"long. 1955 dip stick is 13 1/2" and tube is 8 7/64".A portion of the tube is in the block..Iwould guess about 3/4" if my memory serves me wright.Old parts men never die..they just keep looking in their books >>>>good luck

....and licking their thumbs as they turn the pages, flip, flip, flip, flip, then flipback,flip back! Ha!

WJB....Have you struck oil down there in La. yet?????

Chev Nut:

Not yet. Unfortunately, my job duties, of all things, have kept me tied up for awhile. I should have some time for fun stuff this weekend and will do some measuring, etc and let you know what i fInd out.

WJB