VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Rebuilding 35… engine, need some info.

Finally got the low down on the 35’ motor in the 34’ pickup I’m working on. It’s in fairly rough shape and to top it off, judging by casting dates on things, a mis-match of years. It did run this way so I assume this is ok but I’m hoping someone can confirm the below info. The motor needs main bearings, crank turned on all journals, cylinder rebored to .030, rods redone, new pistons, rings, cam bearings, cam reground, new lifters, 12 valves, exhaust guides, and all the other normal stuff. There are some engine parts I assume I’ll have to get from a VCCA member who has some spare engine parts. I’ll list those below. Here are the casting numbers:

Block: 837591-6. Date: F-5-5. ( I assume June 5, 1935) Serial:5246045

Head: 837981. Date: E-7-6. (May 7, 1936?). BUT, there’s always a but. Inside water return outlet, 1938 B-13, under the head on the return outlet area, A-17. My assumption is this is a replacement head made to 1936 design. Does that sound correct?

Flywheel: 837243. Date: F-18-4. (June 18, 1934) It needs a ring gear and has a Accurate Republic 132SF on it so I assume 132 teeth.

Cam gear: 836950

Odd parts needed are: 1 pushrod, 1 pushrod spring, 1 pushrod keeper(small clip shaped like a little boomerang), and 1 valve keeper

If someone could help confirm the above casting numbers, dates, head info, and the compatibility of the various year parts it would be highly appreciated. Also, anyone who might have those valve train parts listed and wants to sell them let me know. Any other parts you have that you think I could use too.

Thanks in advance.

The 837981 is correct for 35-36 per my Hollander interchange catalog. The flywheel is correct for 34 Master and 35-36. Same source.

The 981 head is a 1936 head. It was sold as a replacement for the 1935 head. Will be necessary to use a 1936 head gasket.
Flywheel ring gear should have 132 teeth - the 1936 had 133.
Cam gear correct for 206 engine.
I have one new push rod and a used push rod spring and keeper.
The late 1935 and 1936 used the split two piece keepers for the valves Do you have 1934-1935 single keeper valves? The keeper fits only those models and I think I have a keeper also.

Thanks to both of you. I’ll get some pictures of what I need and I’ll send them to you Gene. Be in touch soon.

I know of a rebuilt 35 complete engine for $2500. I can get more details if you like

Yes, let me know please. You can PM me.

Ive been told that the 981 head uses a different valve. Can anyone tell me the part number. There are keyed valves, c clip valves, a split clip retainers all listed for 34-35-and some 36.

The 981 head uses 1936 intake and exhaust valves. The intake valves, part # 838437 were used from late 1935-1940. The exhaust valves were # 838717 and used for the same years as the intakes,
The keepers are of the two piece split key type and they were used on all Chevrolet straight 6 Cyl engines up into the 1980's as well as V8 from 1955 and up Latest part # was 838029.
It is also necessary to use the correct retaining caps on top of the valve spring The part numbers are 2136335 for the exhaust, can be round or retangular and fit late 1935-1947. The intakes are part # 839367 and fit as above.

If you send me good pictures of your preent valve spring retainers I can ID them for you.

After a few years Chevrolet discontinued the old single retangular key valve for 1934 Master and early 1935 engines and made special valves using the two piece split key and retaining caps. The single key type tended to pull the key through the retaining cap. The 1934 -early 1935 valves were a little differnt from the 1936 version and the 1934 had 45 degree seats and the 1936 and up 30 Deg.

Thanks for the info gene. I’ll go by the machine shop tomorrow and get a few pictures.