VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Head confusion

I have a 51, 235 power glide engine. This is according to the engine casting #. The head however is a 50, 216. according to the casting #. I know the 215 used the tall side cover that was attached to the head with screws. My head however has no screw attach points. They have not been filled. The head has the original rough surface that comes from normal casting. Has anyone heard of a head like this? Also the valve cover is attached with two studs thru the rocker shafts. There is no top surface screw holes that a 235 valve cover usually uses.

Glenn,

The first 235 engine to have the valve cover attached to the head with 4 screws was a 1954.Prior to that they used the studs same as a 216.....even the same valve cover.

There is no possible way a 216 head could be mounted to a 1950 or later 235 engine - the bolt pattern is completely different...also the 1950-52 235 head bolt pattern is different from the 1953-62.

The casting number on a 1950-51 235 will be 3692703 (right lower side of engine)...there will also be a circle with a ) in the center just behind the breather pipe (raised in casting).

The exception would be in 1951 and up Canadian engines all had the short side cover and 235 type head (216 0r 235)...The block they used was bored under size for a 216 and used the short stroke 216 crankshaft.....but the engine did not used the US 216 head as the bolt pattern was different.

What is the casting number on your head and block?

Chevy Nut,
I rechecked the casting #s. The engine is 3692703. The raised circle has an O in it. The head # is 3835499 with a raised GM1 under it. The manifold #is 3835690 with GM under it. I rechecked these #s with Inliners International. They check out to be 50-51, 235 passenger powerglide engine and 50-52, 216 head. Maybe Inliners is incorrect.

Glenn,

The 235 head is casting #3835499.The 1950-53 216 is 3835517 plus many changes before that.You have a 235 head.The manifold is also a 1950 and up 235 .

Thx Chevgene. I'll contact Inliners and tell them that their list is incorrect.

Glenn,

In 1953 the 216 engine was available in what GM vehicle? maybe a 1/2 ton truck?

The 1953 sedan delivery and 1/2 ton thru 1 1/2 ton trucks used a 216 engine.
Wierd that they used it in the Sdl....which still had a 4.11 rear end.

Well with a 4:11 rear end it saved on clutches and throw out bearings in all that city driving cause once you get that 216 rolling in low and shift to second you never need low again!!

The 216 with a 4.11 rear was a great combination up to about 65 MPH.Especailly considering the engine size the aceleration in high gear was outstanding.