Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines engine ID - 2 many #'s

I puchased a 59 chevy truck with an inline 6. I've read everything I can find but still don't know exactly which engine is in there? Here's the numbers I have found and their locations on the engine.

Cylinder head: 3701887
Manifold: 3835590
Engine block (below distrib...towards front of engine): 3764476
Below distributor: GM 11
Small screw plate (above starter towards the distrib...may be incorrect hard to read): D196

Also the valve cover has 2 bolts stickingup through the top to hold it down.. I know this indicates a older (pre 54) 235 but is it possible that an older valve cover could be bolted onto a new 235???

help???

3701887 is a 1953-1955 235 cylinder head
3764476 is a 1958-1962 235 block. Looks like somebody swapped heads.

Thanks.

That explains the 2 bolt valve cover on a later 235. Does this make any performance differance? Any difference in valve type hydrolic or not? Whats the biggest disadvantage/advantage of having the older head?

Truck runs great by the way. Just did a 500 mile trip without a problem.

The later head has less chamber volume, thus giving a litle more compression and greater torque - but not enough to justify changing heads, IMHO. Hydraulic vs mechanical lifters depends on the application(trucks had solid lifters, cars hydraulic - at least through 1955) but all parts including the camshaft must match to work together. Sounds like your conbination is working fime.

Great... Now how do Iknow if I have hydro or mech lifters... is that determined by the older 235 head??

Remove the sidecover on the passenger side of the engine.Hydraulic lifters will have wire clips on their tops holding the unit together.This will be right where the pushrod seats on the lifter.No clips are solid lifters.
EvilDr235