i started a thread a while back about a 1951 chevy 3100 that i had bought . the owner thought it had the original engine but , thanks to nate's help i learned to identify a 216 and this is not what i have . i am just now getting time to fool with the truck and i started looking for numbers on the engine . i found the numbers B2 913 241 570 on the right side of the head (towards the front ) . another thing i saw was on the block right side towards the front : the number 12 and GM in large letters . on the intake tube next to the carb was either 3835527 or 3885527 . on the passenger side , it has a large removeable cover on the side of the engine . i don't mean to sound stupid but , this is my first experience with an older straight six . thanks in advance for your help .
51 216 I think the PO was right, looks to be a 51 216. The inliners site has the casting #s if you would like to check it out. Chris
if it has a LARGE removable side cover that extends over the spark plug holes it is likley a 216.. or a early 235.. the casting numbers are large raised numbers low on the block by the starter location.. also the flat spot next to the distributor will have serial number stamped on it which also can be usefull.
i just went back out and looked some more . i found large numbers above the starter : H69 ( it is possible the 9 could be an 8 but , pretty sure it is a 9 ) . also , in my first thread nate said if it was a 216 it would have two nuts holding the valve cover on . mine has four screws around the cover and the cover has chevrolet written in the "50's " style lettering .
235 261?? By the valve cover it sounds like a 235. The casting #s you need are below the distributer. Check em out on www.inliners.org . Let us in on what you have. Chris
ok just went out and looked at mine to be sure. mine casting number is a large 7 digit number 3769716 located low on block starter side between the distributor and fuel pump. whats your serial number?
i just went out and looked again and didn't see anything between the distributor and pump but did see a casting on the head . it seems to be 3835913 although i will have to confirm that tommorrow in the day light . if it is that # then according to inliners , it would be a 54- 55 235 . would there be another place to look on the block for#'s ? between the dist. and pump , there is a large tube with a removeable cap and a tube that goes straight down . i assume that would be the crank case vent ? i will try to get some pictures posted .
engine The casting # 3835913 is a 50-52 235 cyl head. More than likely someone put in a replacement 235 engine block. A lot of the time the old 216 components were used , the manifolds,starters,dist,gen and the 216 carbo. Gene
Is Sounds Like You have a replacement (or junkyard) engine there . The tube with cap beside the fuel pump is indeed the crankcase breather tube and the oil filler if it has a removable cap , Chevy stopped using that cap in '37 or '38 IIRC because too many peopole left it loose and it'd fall off on the road and be lost... Tune it using the same tune up specs and info I have posted before , all 216/235/261's use the same tune up regimine (is that good engieering or what ?) , don't forget to begin with a hot valve adjustment and resist the urge to take it all apart until it's been properly tuned and run hard a while as the smoke and loud noises usualy quit after it gets proper love and attention . It _will_ hoever , leak , spit and drip oil forever no matter what you do as that's how it was designed .
