Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Chevy 235 Engine Identification Help?

Hello! I am new to the inliners forums and I have an old Chevy 235 inline engine and was curious if anyone out there is knowledgeable on using the block and head casting numbers and serial number to figure out what year it was produced? My cylinder head casting number is 3836848 with GM23 underneath. The casting number on the right side of the block where the starter mounts is CON4 B222. The last number I could find is what I believe to be the engine serial and is located just behind the distributor on a flat surface of the block and is F0223A. I would appreciate any help I can get. I have checked out a lot of forums and websites, but still am not sure of the year or approximate year of this engine. The best guess I have come up with is possibly 1956 to 1962 based on the cylinder head. Was interested in a possible rebuild in the future and was starting to acquire some gaskets, etc.,
Thanks for any help.

Hi THarper, welcome to the forums.

Everything on this engine is consistent with the last design of the 235 introduced in '58. The block casting numbers you have provided decode as: CONV4 = conveyor number 4 in the casting plant, B222 = February 22nd 1962. This was the last year of 235 production. The number on the dizzy pad F = Flint Michigan (the other plant producing these engines was in Tonawanda New York which carry T prefix). The rest of the sequence (0223) is a date code = February 23rd. So it was assembled the day after it was cast. The suffix A means it was a run-of-the-mill engine destined to be installed in 3 speed stick shift car. The head casting # was introduced in the second half '55 was used consistently through the end of 235 production.

regards,
stock49

Thank you so much! This will be extremely helpful.