Well guys here goes my experience. My 235 in my 1956 3100 was totally locked up, so a patch was out of the question. I talked with a few car guys and after going to a lot of car shows and seeing all the v-8 conversions, I decided to keep the original 6 cyl. inline. First, I thought it would be cool to have what I think is the original motor at least it is period correct. Secondly, I think the floor "stomp" starter was a very cool thing that I hated to lose. Lastly, I saw a 1956 Chevy car with a painted 235 with an dual 2 bbl. carb set up with all the eye candy. I really fell in love with it.
My experience with motor repairing was nothing more than replacing the basic items such as brakes, water pumps, alternators, starters, thermostats, heater cores, etc. I wanted to rebuild my 235 and asked a friend to help me in the things I did not understand. My 235 was frozen and for a week I was trying to unseize the motor by removing the spark plugs and pouring oil in the block and rocking it back in forth in gear. After that idea did not work, I removed the engine and started the disassembly process. I was told by many I had a boat anchor. In the block I could not remove some of the lifters and the I left it to the machine shop for assistance. The machine did all the machining work , magnafluxing, reboring .030, head work, installing hardened seat and new guides, installing pistons on the connecting rods, resurfacing the flywheel, pressing on the camshaft gear and polishing and turning the crank -.010. I purchased all parts and assembled the rest.
Here are the +'s for me. I learned so much about the 235 not to be an expert but I now have first hand experience and I have a complete understanding of this motor. I even learned what a draft tube was. Once I finish the truck I know I did it, that's a huge plus for me. Yes I had help from the Stovebolter's here, parts vendors, machine shop, and sometimes my friend, however the truck was built the way I wanted it to be built, by me, and will be driven by me. I also get to buy new tools.
The -'s time, money and space. My garage is my workspace and my cars which used to be in them now are in the driveway. Yes it takes a lot of time as we all know especially waiting for things from the parts places or machine shops. Money I could have bought a crate sbc engine or had a sbc rebuilt a heck of a lot cheaper than the 235. I think with all the machine work, added eye candy, new parts, and upgradeds it was around 3500 usd.
Another huge plus for me I did something I was not sure about doing. Instead of going to bingo and playing the one arm bandits here in the casino, I found my money pit in the old Chevy and at least I have something to show for it. to sum it up.
+'s satisfaction, pride, enjoyment, and learned something new.
-'s time, money, and space
from this
original head 235 before rebuild to this
235 motor I am doing it with my limited knowledge.
