Could you post the complete engine number with any letters that is on the flat spot next to the distributor? If so I can most likely tell you exactly what you have. Chevy started making 235's in '41 and they were almost identical in looks to the 216 until '54. So the serial number is one of the factors in naming this thing. Engine Casting Codes & Serial Numbers 1954-1963 Chevrolet 235/261 inline 6 cylinder (NOTE: these photos are from a 1960 261 engine; however, 1954-63 235 &. Chevrolet Passenger Cars and Trucks. Model Identification Charts, Serial Number & Cowl Tag Locations, Paint, Trim & Engine Codes for U.S. Built 1939 - 1958 Models. STOVE BOLT CASTING NUMBERS. 235 Block Casting. 3629703 50-52 235. 3692703 50-52 235. 3692708 50-52 235. 3692713 50-52 235. 3835692 50-52 235. 3783949 53-54 235.

Chevy Small Block V8 Engine Identification

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.
Casting Date.
Casting Number.

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.

'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 matches or 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 engine and 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 page is to help you figure out how to decode stuff.

1. ENGINE CODE STAMPING NUMBER

All engines are stamped with an engine ID code, consisting of assembly plant code, production date and suffix code. V8 codes are stamped on a pad just forward of the right side (passenger) cylinder head.

The engine date must precede the car build date, 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)

Engine Plant Code

Code	Engine Plant
F	Flint (Motor)
H	Hydramatic
K	St. Catherines, Ontario (McKinnon Industries Canada)
M	GM of Mexico
S	Saginaw Service
T	Tonawanda
V	Flint (Engine)

Engine Suffix 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.

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 digits of 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 stamped as follows:
A0198005 (A = january, 01, 9800 = pn, 5 = 1985).

2. VIN CODE

VIN Code Format
The vin code format is stamped onto most engines. The format consists of divisional identification number, 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 stamped next to, or under the engine code ID.
Starting in 1970, the serial number is stamped either above the oil filter, somewhere on the block pad (in front of the cylinder head), or on the transmission flange somewhere. Chevrolet issued technical service bulletins to indicate which engines were to recieve a vin stamp, so who knows what could have happend (or not happened).

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

Assembly Plants Savarese book.

In 1972, plant codes changed to reflect the VIN code. For example, 'NOR' = Norwood before 1972. In 1972 and on, it was simply 'N'.

A = Lakewood A = Atlanta GA	L = Van Nuys	W = Willow Run	4 = Scarborough
B = Baltimore	M = Lansing	X = Fairfax	5 = Bowling Green
C = Lansing (B) C = Southgate CA.	N = Norwood	Y = Wilmington	5 = London
D = Doraville GA	P = Pontiac (Pontiac)	Z = Fremont	6 = Oklahoma City
E = Linden	Q = Detriot	1 = Wentzville	7 = Lordstown
F = Flint (Chevy)	R = Arlington	1 = Oshawa #2	8 = Shreveport
G = Framingham	S = St. Louis	2 = Moraine (T&B)	8 = Fujisawa (Japan) Luv
H = Flint (Buick)	S = Ramos Arizpe	2 = St. Therese	9 = Detroit (Cadillac)
J = Janesville	T = Tarrytown	3 = Detroit (T&B)	9 = Oshawa #1
K = Kansas City K - Kosai	U = Hamtramck U = Lordstown OH.	3 = St. Eustache	0 GM Truck Pontiac
K = Leeds	V= Pontiac (

Chevrolet 235 Engine Serial Number