The other day I read that Chevy 216 engines had a triangular inspection cover on the drivers side of the engine so I went down to the garage and had a look since I believed that my 51 Chevy had a 216 engine. I didn't find anything that looked like that but I'm not sure I was looking in the right place. Were exactly is it supposed to be? Next I started looking for numbers on the engine, the only one I could make out was what looks like a casting number on the head. It's 3695451. So I've sent the last few hours searching for that number and come up with nothing. Probably because it's a Canadian engine and most of the sites I found list US numbers. Anyway does anyone know a good way to figure out what engine I do have without taking the whole thing apart? I'm really hoping it is a 235 now.
216's have a full height pressed steel valve cover that runs up to the rocker cover. Well - so do early 235's as well, but that should help... also, casting number near the starter motor will be the date - last digit is the year.
Look on the block, passengers side, to the left of the distributor. Your engine number is stamped in that block.
I've never seen a 235 with the tall cover. Maybe it's a Canadian thing, the US ones might have had it back when. That triangular plate behind the exhaust pipe above the pan rail just shows it to be a "dipper", not a full pressure engine. If it doesn't have that little plate, it's definitely not a 216. Could be a 235 or a 261 Pontiac, with any luck!
Check your casting numbers from head and block here. http://inliners.org/ look under casting #s and http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/chevytalk/GMhistory/1916-57cast.html
The oil distribution plate is on the driver side, near the middle of the block and down low. It isn't "triangular", more of an oval, and it is held on by 3 bolts.
Thanks for all the help guys but I still haven't figured it out yet. I checked all the links but none of the numbers matched anything. 55 Dude suggested pictures so here is what I've got. Small Cover Two center studs. The number is 3695451 Looks like nothing on the side of the block behind exhaust The number to the left of the distributor is C565718 Thanks again and any more help is appreciated.
That looks like its an early 235, what are the numbers that are casted on the block where the starter mounts below and to the rear of the flat spot thats next to the distributor ?
I don't see any other numbers down by the starter. Just the ones on the small flat spot directly behind the distributor. Which are C565718.
if you look real close at area on block behind starter towards the front of engine, usually you need to dig out the dirt their is a casting # and its hard to see.
Damn....Forgot about that one. 55 dude is talking about a tab right behind the starter. (meaning, the starter is pretty much covering it up) Look at the tab to the left of the distributor that you uncovered. Then go down and to the left. If you really want to get a clear shot of it you may have to remove the starter. But you can just make out some of the top ridges of the stamps if you look closely in this picture. It may read something like 'CON 4 J177'
I cant tell from the pictures if the oil filter has any lines on it. If there are external lines to the filter, it is a full pressure 235. if it has no supply and return lines - if the oil comes directly from the block into the filter and then back to the block is it a splash 235.
You're not finding a oil dist. cover because its been replaced with a "Inner Line" oil filter that bolts up in its place. Its a babbit pounder. Note the wide flat area on the head casting between the spark plugs. That would indicate a 50-52 235 head. Short sidecover would also indicate a 235. The 3 bolt sidemount pattern is like a 52-54 car, so I'm going to say it's a 1952 235 babbit pounder. Of course, being Canadian, it could be something else. I've heard rumors that they did make a short sidecover 216 up there, but I don't have anything to confirm this. Either way, its definitely a babbit pounder. If you contact David Hayward over at ChevyTalk, in the pre-war section, he may be able to pin it down further...
Thanks again. I didn't know that they made a 235 with the babbitt bearings. There are no lines coming from the oil filter so I guess that means it is low pressure splash style. I looked around the stater again but still didn't find anything so tomorrow I'm hoping to find time to take it off and have a better look.
I ran into the same thing when I got my '52. You have a babbit-235, now be careful, you might have hydraulic lifters as well! This drove me fucking nuts!!! I ASSUMED I had solid lifters and after a tune-up went in to adjust my valve-lash, like you're supposed to. I must have messed with that shit for a couple of days until it dawned on me that I might have an early 235/powerglide motor (even though it had a 3 spd when I got it). I tightened down the damn rocker nuts and everything was fine... no adjustment necessary. Keep this is mind and maybe you won't lose yours too! ns
They started making the 235 for the larger trucks in 1941. Again, your not finding oil lines on the filter because that isn't the type of filter you have. If the filter was the type that bolted to the intake manifold, then you would see a couple oil lines.
I have a 216 in my 1951 Canadian GMC with the same head casting number. My motor is original. I would think that yours is also a 216. Also, mine has the short side cover. I also had an inliner filter which I removed because is isn't correct for that motor. It won't do any harm but it won't do much good. The outlet for the filter is ported to the rocker feed hole in the block which doesn't exist on that motor. The rockers are fed from the rear camshaft gallery. Oh by the way, if you go here: http://www.gmhistorian.btinternet.co.uk/canadianchevdatabase.doc you will find out what vehicles your motor was used in.
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