Chevy engine casting marks

[Jordan Baker]

Hi everyone.

I spent the day taking all sorts of stuff of my truck in order to better get at the engine. Im going to be ordering a gasket set from "Chevs of the 40's" and I would like some help figuring out which set I need. As far as I know its a 235

I found the manufacture date below the starter. It reads "C 26 9" From what I understand this means my engine was built on March 26, 1949. I however was unable to get a clear photo of it.

The next casting marks were on the right side of the engine forward of the distributor. It says "GM (48) 3835327" below that is a "m".

[Jordan Baker]

The next number I found was just to the rear of the distributor and it was stamped into the metal. It reads "X 283590"

What do all of these mean.

From what Ive found on the Chevy parts site it looks like I should order the gasket set for 37/53 years, exc 50-53 for the 235ci. The part # they give for the set is #3702872 37/53.

Is that the correct set that I need?

Thanks
Jordan

Jordan, I would suggest that your engine is a 40's something build which would mean it is a 216 c.i not the 235 blue flame. They require different gasket sets. The way I tell is via the side cover. The 216 side cover goes right up to the rocker cover and the spark plugs go through it where as the 235 has a short side cover ending level with the head gasket. Also the rocker cover on the 216 has 2 central posts with nuts on top to hold it down where the 235 is held down with I think 4 screws around the edge. Hope this is of help. Can any one else confirm?

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The block is a 1948 design, introduced in 1948 and used in 1948 and 1949 and 1950... the casting date code is March 29th 1949, and the engine nunber indicates a Chevrolet truck unit, 216 cu in, oh and a 1949 Model! A light commercial, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton would have a 'C' prefix, and 'X' indicates a 1-ton and above unit. Hope that helps!


Blocks were at the time cast by McKinnon Industries Ltd of St Catherines, Ontario, GM of Canada subsidiary since 1929 and they used 'M' to indicate their manufacture. However the engines were assembled in Windsor, Ontario Transmission Plant until 1962.

[Jordan Baker]

Thanks Robert and David

So I guess I have the correct engine for the CMP but it was jsut made a few years after the war. Im happy about that although the 235 would be nice to have the extra umph in traffic. Oh well I guess people will just have to be stuck behind an old slow army truck.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I gather that, if you can find one, the 261 Chev unit would look right and fit in but others may know otherwise! Lots more oomph of course!

[Jordan Baker]

The 261 would sure make the CMP fly but at least Im not going to be the one stuck behind the old and slow army truck. Ooh wait im driving!