Chevrolet 235 Engine Serial Number

Chevrolet Advance-Design Series
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet (General Motors)
Also called
  • Chevrolet 3100 (½-ton)
  • Chevrolet 3600 (¾-ton)
  • Chevrolet 3800 (1-ton)
  • Chevrolet Loadmaster
  • Chevrolet Thriftmaster
  • GMC New Design
Production1947–1955
Assembly
  • Van Nuys Assembly (Van Nuys, California)
  • St. Louis Truck Assembly (Saint Louis, Missouri)
  • Pontiac West Assembly (Pontiac, Michigan)
  • Janesville Assembly Plant (Janesville, Wisconsin)
Body and chassis
ClassPickup truck
Body style2-door truck
2-door panel truck
2-door Station wagon (Suburban)
LayoutFR layout
PlatformGM A platform
RelatedChevrolet Suburban
Powertrain
Engine
  • 216 cu in (3.5 L)I6 (1947–1953)
  • 235 cu in (3.9 L) I6 (1954–1955)
  • 261 cu in (4.3 L) I6 (1954–1955)
Transmission
  • 3/4-speed manual
  • 4-speed Hydramaticautomatic (1954–1955)
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 116 in (2,946 mm)
  • 125.25 in (3,181 mm)
  • 137 in (3,480 mm)
Length
  • 3100:
  • 196.6 in (4,990 mm) (1947–1952);[1][2]
  • 191.3 in (4,860 mm) (1953–1955)[2]
Chronology
PredecessorAK Series Pickup Truck
SuccessorTask Force Series
  1. Casting Number 235 Chevy Engine
  2. Gasoline
  3. 235 Chevrolet Engine For Sale

Here's a Chevy motor question that comes up all the time - 216 or early 235? Guys are always posting this question. How to identify this early 235 High Torque, digging for numbers and measuring stuff. Attached is a photo of my 1946 High Torque 235 pan which plainly has the number '235' stamped on the right side, big as day.

Vast number listing for Chevy inlines: Lots of Inline casting numbers: Number 40 219 239 218 375 378 328880. 235 292 250 235 235 235 235 235 235 261 250 261 261 235 235 261 261 235 261 235 261 261 235 261 235 235 261 261 250 292 235 250 194. Engine now 235 in³ straight-6. Serial number codes unchanged from 1953. Hydramatic automatic transmission is available for the first time as a paid for option. 1955 First Series - Similar to the 1954 model year, except redesigned hood-side emblems and modern open driveshaft in place of enclosed torque tube. Serial number codes unchanged from. Chevrolet 235 Engine Serial Number Average ratng: 9,6/10 5248 reviews The Chevy inline straight-6 engine is one of the most important engines in the history of Chevrolet. Chevy 235 engines were some of the mainstays for the manufacturer through the first half of the twentieth century and became the base engine in 1955 when the V8 was added to.

Advance-Design was a light and medium duty truck series by Chevrolet, their first major redesign after WWII. Its GMC counterpart was the GMC New Design. It was billed as a larger, stronger, and sleeker design in comparison to the earlier AK Series. First available on Saturday June 28, 1947, these trucks were sold with various minor changes over the years until March 25, 1955, when the Task Force Series trucks replaced the Advance-Design model.

Chevrolet 235 Engine Serial Number

The same basic design family was used for all of its trucks including the Suburban, panel trucks, canopy express, and cab overs. The cab overs used the same basic cab configuration and similar grille but used a shorter and taller hood and different fenders. The unique Cab Over fenders and hood required a custom cowl area which makes the Cab Over Engine cabs and normal truck cabs incompatible with one another while all truck cabs of all weights interchange.

From 1947 until 1955, Chevrolet trucks were number one in sales in the United States, with rebranded versions sold at GMC locations.[3]

While General Motors used this front end sheet metal, and to a slightly lesser extent the cab, on all of its trucks except for the Cab Overs, there are three main sizes of this truck: the half-, three-quarter-, and full ton capacities in short and long wheelbase.

Differences[edit]

1947 - Gasoline tank filler neck on passenger side of bed. No vent windows in doors. Hood side emblems read 'Chevrolet' with 'Thriftmaster' or 'Loadmaster' underneath. Serial numbers: EP ½ ton, ER ¾ ton, & ES 1 ton.[4] Radios were first available in Chevrolet trucks as an 'in dash' option on the 'Advance-Design' body style.[5]

1948 - Manual transmission shifter now mounted on column instead of floor. Serial numbers codes: FP ½ ton, FR ¾ ton, & FS 1 ton.

Chevrolet 235 Engine Serial Number

Early 1949 - Gasoline tank now mounted upright behind seat in cab; filler neck aft of passenger door handle. New serial number codes: GP ½ ton, GR ¾ ton, & GS 1 ton.

Late 1949 - Hood side emblems no longer read 'Thriftmaster' or 'Loadmaster', but are now numbers that designate cargo capacity: 3100 on ½ ton, 3600 on ¾ ton, 3800 on 1 ton. Serial number codes remain the same as on early 1949.

1950 - Telescopic shock absorbers replace lever-action type. Last year for driver's side cowl vent, its handle is now flat steel, not maroon knob as in previous years. New serial number codes: HP ½ ton, HR ¾ ton, & HS 1 ton.

1951 - Doors now have vent windows. Mid-year change from 9-board bed to 8 boards per bed. Last year for 80 MPH speedometer, chrome window handle knobs, and chrome wiper knob. New serial number codes: JP ½ ton, JR ¾ ton, & JS 1 ton.

1952 - Outer door handles are now push button type as opposed to the previous turn down style. Speedometer now reads to 90 mph and dashboard trim is painted instead of chrome. Mid-year, Chevrolet stops using the 3100-6400 designation on the hood and changes to maroon window and wiper knobs. New serial number codes: KP ½ ton, KR ¾ ton, & KS 1 ton.

1953 - Last year for the 216 in³inline-six. Hood side emblems now only read 3100, 3600, 3800, 4400, or 6400 in large print. Door post ID plate now blue with silver letters (previous models used black with silver letters). Last year to use wooden blocks as bed supports. New serial number codes: H ½ ton, J ¾ ton, & L 1 ton.

1954 - Only year for significant design changes. Windshield now curved one-piece glass without center vertical dividing strip. Revised steering wheel. Revised dashboard. Cargo bed rails, previously angled, now horizontal. Tail lights round instead of rectangular. Grille changed from five horizontal slats to crossbar design commonly referred to as a 'bull nose' grille, similar to modern Dodge truck grille. Engine now 235 in³straight-6. Serial number codes unchanged from 1953. Hydramaticautomatic transmission is available for the first time as a paid for option.

1955 First Series - Similar to the 1954 model year, except redesigned hood-side emblems and modern open driveshaft in place of enclosed torque tube. Serial number codes unchanged from 1953 and 1954.

  • 1948 Chevrolet Thriftmaster pickup truck

  • 1951 Chevrolet Advance Design

  • 1954 Chevrolet 3100

  • 1954 GMC 100

  • 1954 Chevrolet 3100 panel van

EVENTS

GMC HC-Series[edit]

GM HC-Series
Overview
Model years1949–1958
Chronology
SuccessorChevrolet Kodiak

The GMC HC-Series is a medium/heavy-duty version of the Chevrolet Advance Design truck. The truck was mostly used as a semi-truck although smaller versions were also made and were available. The truck had a narrower hood and fenders compared to its lighter counterparts.

Features that were included in the truck were air brakes. The truck could carry 27,000 lb (12,000 kg) GVW or 55,000 lb (25,000 kg) GCW depending on the version of the truck.[6]

Styling Legacy[edit]

The styling for the Advance-Design trucks was the inspiration for both the Chevrolet SSR and the Chevrolet HHR, it also inspired the design of some of the Opel Blitz trucks and of the Bedford TA.

References[edit]

  1. ^'Directory Index: GM Trucks and Vans/1948 Trucks and Vans/1948 Chevrolet Trucks Brochure'. Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  2. ^ abGunnell, John A. (1993). Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks. Krause Publications. ISBN0-87341-238-9.
  3. ^Bunn, Don. 'Segment Five: 1947-1954 Advanced Design Pickups'. Pickuptruck.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007.
  4. ^'What Year is My Truck?'. Classicparts.com. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  5. ^'Introduction to A-D factoids'. 2007. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  6. ^GM, Diesel Trucks. 'Gasoline'. autopaper.com. Autopaper. Retrieved 5 December 2020.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chevrolet Advance Design.
  • Chevrolet Advance Design at Curlie
Gm 235 engine for sale

Casting Number 235 Chevy Engine

Chevrolet, a marque of General Motors, light truck timeline, international market, 1950s–1970s — next »
Type1950s1960s1970s
012345678901234567890123456789
Full-size SUVVeraneio
K5 BlazerK5 Blazer
SuburbanSuburbanSuburbanSuburbanSuburban
Coupe utilityEl CaminoEl CaminoEl CaminoEl CaminoEl Camino
Compact pickupLUV
Full-size pickupEl Toro
Advance DesignTask ForceC/KC/KC/K
VanVanVanVan
GreenbrierSportVanSportVanBeauville
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chevrolet_Advance_Design&oldid=992532981'
Chevy Engine Code Information

General Decoding Information
This topic can be somewhat confusing, especially with the amount of information available and the interpretation of it.The primary pieces of information you'll decode are the Engine Code and Partial VIN. You can decode the casting number. And you can check dates.The engine code and partial vin # will accurately nail down whatever the thing is rather quickly, and the other information will fall into line with that.If you already know what you're doing, Chevy Engine Codes are listed down below.

Let's decode something real quick like, you can read the details further down below:

Here's an engine. I can see the partial VIN (13N132794) and the engine code (V0112CLJ).
Quickly from the partial vin I know this is a Chevy (1) 1973 model year (3) built in Norwood Ohio (N).
132794 is the unique vehicle serial number (to match against vehicle VIN).
I know Norwood built Camaros - among other things. So I'm dealing with something from a 1973 Camaro.
Now to the engine code.
V0112 (flint, january 12th)
CLJ in 1973 is a 245 horsepower 350 used in a Z28 Camaro mated to a manual transmission.
Knowing this, I can conclude the original vehicles VIN is or was 1Q87T3N132794.
If that happens to be the vehicle this engine is currently sitting in they 'match'.
I'm Done.I can GUESS the casting # is 3970010 and check casting dates, etc... but using these 2 things, I already know EXACTLY what this was.

Here's another:
10S437638 & V0312CTG.
1970... S... St. Louis (built Vettes & Impalas). 4xxx is the Corvette Range. Yikes.
CTG - in 1970.... RPO ZQ3, 300hp 350 in a Corvette.
... and the Casting # is.... 3970010.

Gasoline

My point here I guess is... trying to decode '3970010' is almost pointless. It's a 350.If you're trying to buy a 350 and you see this thing laying on the ground, then there it is. But if you want to know EXACTLY what the thing is - you need more than the casting #. Once you identify something - like the above vette block, then you can conclude whatother pieces and parts should have been on it, and check those casting #'s. And/or - you can check dates to make sure everything came together when original.

ONE NOTE: Casting #'s will trump the code on a descrepancy. Take the above CLJ example. In 1987 CLJ is a 305 L69 in a monte carlo, or in 1971 it's a 400 from amonte carlo. So when the arguement over 305, 350 or 400 comes up... now you look at the casting #. 3970010.... bang, it's a 350. That eliminates the 400 and 305 possibilities.

As you can see - codes are reused and/or they span years. This is why I looked at the VIN code 1st. 1973 - eliminates every other possiblity. Everything else lines upand there's no confusion.

Engine Code Stamping Numbers
All engines are stamped with an engine ID code, consisting of assembly plant code, productiondate and suffix code. The location of this code depends on the type of engine, typically as follows:
Small Block Chevy: Machined pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head. Often hidden by the alterator.
Big Block Chevy: Machined pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head or above timing chain cover.
Six Cylinder: Passenger side of the block behind the distributor.
The prefix portion of the ID code tells you the engine assembly plant code, and the engine's assemblydate (for example, 0701 = July 1st....no year is indicated). The suffix portion tells you the original application, vehicle model, engine RPO/ transmission / horsepower, etc... (for example, CTY = 1970 396 Camaro, 375 hp, 11.0:1, TH400).

The engine assembly date must precede the car build date (often by a few days), otherwise something is amiss. Some engine machining operations (decking) will obliterate the engine ID.

Engine ID Code Example: V0101CLJ - (V = Plant, 01 = Month, 01 = Day, CLJ = Engine Suffix Code)
Another example: T0830CTY - (T = Tonawanda, 08 = August, 30 = 30th day, CTY = 1970 396 Camaro, 375 hp, 11.0:1, TH400)

CodeEngine PlantCodeEngine Plant
FFlint (Motor)SSaginaw Service
HHydramaticTTonawanda
KSt. Catherines, OntarioVFlint (Engine)
(McKinnon Industries Canada)
MGM of Mexico

VIN Code Format
The vin code format is stamped onto most engines. The format consists of divisional identificationnumber, model year, assembly plant designation and vehicle serial or sequence number.
In 68-69 model cars, the serial (VIN) number of the car the engine was installed in is stampednext to, or under the engine code ID.
Starting in 1970, the serial number is stamped either above the oil filter, somewhere on the blockpad (in front of the cylinder head), or on the transmission flange somewhere. Chevrolet issuedtechnical service bulletins to indicate which engines were to recieve a vin stamp, so who knows whatcould have happend (or not happened).

VIN code format Example: 13N100001
(1 = Chevrolet, 3 = 1973, N = Norwood, 100001 = Production sequence of vehicle VIN)

For a list of assembly plants, clickhere.


Suffix Portion of Chevy Engine Code

Suffix codes are either alphabetical or alphanumeric. Select the portion of the alphabet for your code. For example, select 'DTR-HQ' if you'd like to find code DZ. In some cases suffix codes are reused twice or more over time, in this event check the partial VIN code or block casting date code and then see what year the block was made to pin down what application your block was originally used in. This list of codes is a summarization, it is not complete nor all inclusive.

Small Block Engine Suffix Code Menu
3N - CDR | CE - CMJ | CMK - CUD | CUF - DTM | DTR - HQ |
HR - TBS | TBT - TJS | TJT - TXB | TXC - UTT | UTU - ZY |
Big Block Engine Suffix Code Menu
0FC - 9XZ | AAA - CTB | CTH - IJ | IK - MZ | Q - YZ

Note: CODE CExxxx (counter or crate engine) was used from 1968 to current year. It represents any CID and is used to indicate this particular engine was replaced under Warranty. It is a direct replacement for the original equipment. It doesn't indicate what the original equipment was.

VF292800 - is an example of a over the counter crate engine. '2800' is the last 4 digitsof the GM part # for the crate engine assembly. The final digit could be a year code.
Another example: A Targetmaster engine (p/n 14009800) built in 1985 could have a code stampedas follows:
A0198005 (A = january, 01, 9800 = pn, 5 = 1985).

Here's something secret I've been working on since 2005.

'Numbers Matching'
This is my opinion, and the generally accepted norm:
When people say 'It's numbers matching' - what they mean is the engine (or other component, i.e the transmission) can be MATCHED to the vehicle it was originally used in. This match is done via the PARTIAL VIN stamp on the component. The partial VIN will match the vehicles VIN. If it does - it's 'numbers matching',otherwise - it's not. done. end of story.
Some folks use these terms loosely, or will say 'numbers correct' or something to that effect. But numbers correct is not numbers matching. Again, it either matchesor it doesn't. If it doesn't match - is it correct?
Numbers matching is important when you're trying to decode a Z28 or Super Sport where the VIN won't identify the vehicle as such. You need to decode the engineand see if it matches the vehicle, and if the code signifies Z28 or SS equipment.
Lastly, in extreme cases, you'll want to verify the numbers stamped onto the component were the ones stamped into it originally and aren't restamped.
The point of this article is to help you figure out how to decode stuff.

What good is knowing the transmission? MT (or Manual transmission) IMPLIES - the boss (or the pivot itself) for the clutch Z-bar is present and threaded and the crankshaft can accomodate a pilot bearing. Good news is 99.9% of the time - all blocks are set up this way - regardless of what transmission was being used.

Hey man - is this a 4 bolt main?
I have no idea.... drilling the holes is a machining operation. It can be done on any 3970010 (or other) block. 99% of the time, the casting # won't indicate anything.HOWEVER - the engine code MAY HINT at this fact. Take a truck 350. If it codes out as a 1/2 ton application - we can bet money it's only a 2 bolt. but if it's a 3/4 or 1ton application, or some high powered application, you can ASSUME it might just be a 4 bolt main. Both of the above 350 examples are 4 bolt mains due to the application.The only guarantee is to take off the pan and look.

What's this A/F/X stuff?
This is the GM body designation. All these are identified here.Quickly, A = Chevelle, F = Camaro, X = Nova. If you're looking at the engine code - this is already known. If you're looking at the casting # information and it mentions3970010 'A/F/X/Y/B'.... basically this means 'it's used in everything', whereas if it simply states 'Y'... this means corvette.


235 Chevrolet Engine For Sale

Last updated: 11/1/2013
Author: MadMike Maciolek


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