1954 235 Engine Color

[Joe_54]

I'm restoring my Grandfather's 1954 5 window cab chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup. Various classic truck supply businesses indicate that the engine color would have been grey or blue...yet the engine in my pickup (original) appears to have been green. I have also observed several 1954 235 engines for sale on ebay that appear to be the same color of green. Is this common? I currently have the block at the machine shop and am getting ready to pick a color.

Thanks for any help.


Attachments:
https://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/43e02fd404cc93f8.jpg

 

[vwnate1]

Hi Joe ;

That's not a 1954 235 but in any case the correct color is in fact , grey ~ the blue engines were for passenger cars .

There was another Chevy truck engine , thet 261 , it looks _identical_ to the 235 but isn't and it was painted green , I don't see any color in your photograph .

Just for grins , please post the casted in part number on the left upper edge of the cylinder head , that will help identify your engine....

remember : the engine acessories are all painted black .

-Nate

 

[Joe_54]

Hi Nate,

Thanks for the reply.

The engine # stamped on the block is 0784784F54X. This # is identical to the paperwork from the purchase on April 5th, 1955.

My understanding is that:
0784784 is the unit #
F = the assembly plant - Flint
54 = Model year
X = type - Thriftmaster 235

I had previously measured the cylinder bore and it is consistent with the bore of a 235. The camshaft journals are the same size as the 261 engine which would indicate a late production 1954 engine.

The casting # on the cylinder head appears to be 3835913.

The attached photos show: engine #, cylinder head casting # and another shot of the left side of the engine which I hope will show the color a little better.

I am trying to restore the truck accurately and really appreciate your response.


Attachments:
https://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/43e17f6709cc3022.jpghttps://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/43e17f9f0a002e45.jpghttps://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/43e17fd00a042f81.jpg

 

[vwnate1]

Yep , that's a ful pressure 235 allright , just like the one I had in my old '46 3100 .

The triangular bolt pattern on each side was for the newr enging mounts scheme .

Good enigne stuff a new 261 cam and solid lifters in there and you'll love it and run away from other 235's too .

-Nate