heads, 1950, chevy

[abster]

I have a 1950, 235 with a water leak into the oil. The head-gasket doesn't seem like it fit correctly. I need to see what the head and head-gasket are supposed to look like.

[samturner]

I can't help much on what they look like but the old straight 6 cyl. head were bad about warping and cracking. If you pull it again you might want to take it to most any automotive machine shop and have them put a straight edge on the head and magnaflux it. Also if you haven't checked the torque specs I would sees like they were arounf 95 ft. lb. or so,

As far as I know the only other head you could have would be the 216 or you might have a 216 block with a 235 head and gut feeling is they won't interchange. GMC might have have had a pick up head that would kind of fit but not sure about that. Then you just might have the wrong gasket set.

[MrPbody]

Sam's right. 216 heads don't correctly fit 235. 235 is notorious foir cracking in the chambers. BUT... Just because it's cracked, doesn't necessarily mean it's leaking. Pressure-testing is called for. And yes, they DO warp quite badly.

The '50-'52 engine lists a different head gasket than the '53-'62, so that could also enter into this. Are you certain it's the original engine?

Jim

[rhandwor]

Take your head to a machine shop. Get it pressure tested and checked for straightness. Then buy a gasket from them as they know what you have.
Use a flashlight and lay it flat along the block look for a crack between the cylinders.

[abster]

thank you all for your advice. I believe the machine shop is the best idea. thanks again

[bobss396]

Whenever I have had a cylinder head off and the thing is all back together, I add a can of Solder Seal's Block Seal to the coolant. This ensures that any minor voids between parts will not be an issue, especially on old engines.

http://www.gunk.com/prod_photo.asp

Bob