Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 216/235 head interchange

I am in the middle of rebuilding a 235 for my 50 chevy and the machine shop called and said that my head has several cracks and it would be cheaper to start with another head than to plug/repair all the cracks. They have a head they would sell me as a core but I think it may be a 216 the casting number is 3835499 and date code of L-4-1 so by the date code I'm not sure if it is 51 and a 216 or 61 and a 235. Please help with the identification and will it work.
Thanks Don

Hollander lists 3835499 as a 50-52 235, but it also lists it as a 54-56 261.
These two possibilities are not interchangeable because the head bolt patterns are different. If the head bolt pattern and the outward appearance of the casting are the same as what you have, then it should be the right head, if you are building a 50-52 235.

One of the lists Inliner's has posted has it also as a 1950-52 216 ! I suppose the Hollander may be more accurate, but the truth is in the matching of head to head for all dimensions and confiqurations.

Dear Don;

Why would the Machine Shop sell you a head that wouldn't fit your engine?? I'm sure they did that (compair heads)before they 'pitched' it.

Almost always the 216/235 heads are 'totally' different. Remember the 216 had the large side cover?

Double check if you like but there probably right.

Good luck, John M., #3370....

I have looked at the casting and it does not have the mounting holes for the side tins a 216 would have. It also does not have the four holes for the valve cover (maybe early 235). Does not have the normal three cast in ribs between spark plug holes and the casting number refering to 50-52. If it does turn out to be a 235 then the question becomes will a 51 heaad work on a 60 block?

Thanks Don

Dear Don;

Use your old head gasket to be sure and check if the rocker assembly fits the same.

Generally speaking 235 heads are the same. There was a few years (49-52) where there were differences, however.

The books generally are right as well, but can be variance.

John M....

So you're saying now that you have a 1960 235?

Based on your description, you have a 50-52 head, and no, it won't work on a later 235. What you should be looking for is a head with casting 3836848.

As for general interchange:

37-53 216 and 41-49 235 are the same

50-52 235 only

53-62 235/261 all

Thanks for clearing that up.

I couldn't remember which was which, must be getting old.

John M...

Thank-you to everyone for answering my question. I'm new to 6's and don't want to make any mistakes.
Thanks Again
Don