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Forum Rules (Click Here) -> Ontario Rodders -> General Car Talk -> Identifying '53 chevy engine
Post Info TOPIC: Identifying '53 chevy engine
Jay


PORT PERRY, ONT

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Identifying '53 chevy engine
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Seems this is a very popular question with all kinds of answers all over the web...............but I still don't have any answers............

 

Here's the deal:

Just bought a 1953 Chevy 210 4 door. Trying to figure out what engine is in it.

Located the engine serial #779565 (everything thing on the web has letters in it)

 

No tag on drivers side hinge pillar, just on cowl under hood:

 

Model#10-693

Serial#3106952145

Engine#722040

Body-8479

Trim-503

Paint-359

 

Cover has 2 nuts on top, depending on what site your on, some say this is definitely a sign that its a 216. Others say it could be a 235.

supposedly only '53 trucks and sedan deliveries still had the 216 ........but.......... cars that were ordered as a fleet (ie. taxi, rental) would also have the 216.

Looked for the "triangular plate with three screws" on the drivers side of the block and couldn't see anything. (don't know if it is hidden by the manifold or not)

Also, oil pressure gauge is 0-60lbs. I read that spray lube engines show 0-30lbs while the full pressure show 0-60lbs. I know the full pressure only came with the PG and mine is a 3 speed.

 

 

The bottom line:

 

I would just like to know what engine it is. I have searched the serial # with no results and with so many conflicting ways to visually identify it, I am lost.

 

Thanks



-- Edited by Jay on Sunday 22nd of December 2013 01:07:08 PM

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slim


DUNDAS, ONT

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Block casting  numbers - raised cast into block passenger side below distributer

http://www.inliners.org/casting/numbers.html



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Jay


PORT PERRY, ONT

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Nothing seen below distributer. Towards the front, under GM, it has 5845363.

 

Can't find any casting #'s that even begin with 5xxxxxx!



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Jay


PORT PERRY, ONT

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235_261_50_TO_54_CASTING_NUMBER_PIC.jpg



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Jay


PORT PERRY, ONT

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I think I found it. After googleing the casting #, seems other have had trouble finding it also.

 

Some think it may be a '54 235 exchange engine. Doesn't explain the two acorn nuts on the cover??

 

 



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sasquatch


NORTH BAY, ONT

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Been so many years ago,, but i always thought the 216 engine had a high cover over the lifter side, the 235 a narrower, (not high cover.)
Not much help, i remember the 216 with two studs on the top of the rocker cover, the 235 and 261 with screws around the flat base of the rocker cover.

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slim


DUNDAS, ONT

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Numbers on most sites are American . It doesn't mean that block wasn't used in Canada a year earlier . Or it was built latter in the year and the old supply of blocks run out.



235 cu in
year prefixes block casting numbers

54 Chev 5845363

  • serial  number
  • 1st digit - year 
  • 2nd & 3rd- series
  • 3rd &  4th model
  • remainder identify the car

55 and up will have a 5th number for 6 or 8 cylinder

 

cant remember the exact year they changed the rocker covers but it would of been 54 or 55. the acorn cover will fit any 235 or 216 with the addition of the stack stud on the head . if you remove the cover and the 4 screw holes that hold down the latter covers are not their it came that way.

Lot of changes between 53 and 55  and the Canadian models are a bit harder to nail down I wouldnt worry to much about what you read as parts would of been mixed as the old items run out and orders  still had to be filled.



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Jay


PORT PERRY, ONT

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Thanks guys!

 

Here's what I found out (through researching the codes)

Block- 1954 235 cid

Head- 1953 truck low pressure 235 (explains the valve cover)

 

Could this have been original or maybe a warranty replacement? Might explain why the oil pressure gauge goes to 60. As it is a 3 speed, should only go to 30.



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Jay


PORT PERRY, ONT

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One more thing...........

 

Block is GREEN!

Just going to assume they ran out of paint!



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slim


DUNDAS, ONT

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Found this on the stovebolt forum seems to be a canadian block

 

http://hotrod.gregwapling.com/chev-trucks-47-55/canadian-chev.html

 

1953 BEL AIR OWNED BY MR AND MRS KEN STAHNKE 2-TONE BLUE
3106978021
ENGINE  [235] CANADIAN BLOCK CAST  #  5843350
BLOCK CAST DATE B-18-3 FEBRUARY 18TH 1953
HEAD CAST  #3836848 CAST DATE D-3-6 APRIL 3RD 1956 [1956 ITE

 sorry for the crappy copy but its way down the page on the link.block cast date February18th 1953 =5843350

  ser -    3106978021



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Jay


PORT PERRY, ONT

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Thanks SLIM,

Being new to this game, starting to see the challenge in dealing with old cars! (loving every minute of it)



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slim


DUNDAS, ONT

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http://pugetsoundvintagechevrolet.org/Programs/6%20cylinder%20engines%20with%20photos.pdf



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sasquatch


NORTH BAY, ONT

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Just found this on the Hamb. Early 216 & 235 had 15 head bolts, the later 235 had 18. Maybe some help?

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