How much diff. will the 848 head make?

[Matt300ZXT]

I picked up a 55-57 Bel Air 235 for my 54 truck yesterday. It's got a casting # of 3836233 with shows 55-57 235 with a Powerglide from the factory, so my motor should have the hydraulic lifters instead of mechanical, even though right now it currently has a 3 speed on the motor.

Now, I have an 848 head on my current 235 that is locked up, so I'm just curious if it's worth the money to pull it off and have the head rebuilt to slap onto the 55-57 Bel Air motor? I know it bumps up compression some but is it even worth the effort and cost of the rebuild process?

[Dan Bowles]

Check out Inliners.org, those guys KNOW their I6s.

[dwcsr]

hydraulic lifters started in 1958 for standard trans engines. There were other heads as good as the 848 whats the casting on the head. The 3836233 could be a 56 truck then it would also have solid lifters

[Matt300ZXT]

The head casting is 3835913. The serial # is 0208793F55Z, and there is CON4 L284 cast just above the starter.

[Matt300ZXT]

The motor has the Tri 5 engine mounts on it, so some guys on the HAMB said it's definitely a 55-57...I guess I'll have to just look more into it to see if it's really a hydraulic block vs a solid block.

[Dan Bowles]

If it runs, leave it alone!

How much do solid v hydraulic lifters change the HP of these old motors? In '53 when they first started making the PG engine, it was only 10-15 hp difference IIRC.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Matt300ZXT

The motor has the Tri 5 engine mounts on it, so some guys on the HAMB said it's definitely a 55-57...I guess I'll have to just look more into it to see if it's really a hydraulic block vs a solid block.

NOT sure what a TRI 5 mount is but if that means side mounts they did that in trucks after 55 up to 63. But not all truck motors have side mounts. The only sure way to tell if you have hydraulics is pull a lifter a see. Over on webrodder.com Doc aka cheifweasel will know. Hes very good with 235 engines

[OrrieG]

tri 5 mount is no side mounts, used the front mounts and bellhousing for rear for 6 and v8s.. I think all 235's had the front mounts. Mine was a 58 passenger care 235 with front mounts, no provision for side mounts.

[Dan Bowles]

http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/...16-57cast.html

This site says the 3835913 is 54-55. Doesn't say truck...cars had the side mounts in '54.

L284? December 28 1954? That is an awefully late date and usually a Christmas shut down. Were they running production then to meet orders, I wonder? Not typical.

[Dan Bowles]

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...gine.htm#54eng

F55Z indicates it is a Flint made 1955 235 with 140 HP.