The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Patch or Rebuild or Remanufacture

GM Jager thanks for the compliment.

5150scott yup I agree when I pulled the rocker cover off and then the side cover off I had to use a shop vacuum so I could see what was there, then I thought OMG what have I gotten into.

Achipmunk that was a very nice compliment also but the real credit really goes to this site. I still remember having frustrations trying to remove the clutch housing on that 235 with the pistons and lifters frozen into place. As I would make a little progress I would come here and post my question, and wait for all the wonderful responses. Even though I read the shop manuals but there was always a been there done it Stovebolters that was taking time to post a reply to help me with what I did not understand or knew what to do next.

I also want to add in the +'s column the cool factor of the 235. The first on I saw really took my breath it was such a beautiful site. Just about anytime I see an old timer I can make conversation about that old truck and I can listen to there stories about their experiences with old cars and trucks they had. One guy today was telling me about his car where he used the throttle cable for a cruise control.

Not to hog this thread but before I started the tear down I read Chevrolet, GMC & Buick Speed Manual by California Bill trying to get ideas on how to hop it up. Me I was so confused with really what to do with so many ideas I just jumped into it piece by piece and what I could not do I let the machine shop do. Here in Las Vegas before he sold his business I went to a local machine shop called Jack's. He told me of his old racing days on the dirt track where he said in the turns he would whip the v-8's and in the straights the v-8's would take him. he also stated in the 1/8th he always took a v-8. I heard all his racing stories and what he also told me that they forced him to run a v-8 put you could see the passion in his eyes when he talked about the old stovebolt engines.

After I finished my 235 and put it into the frame I really fell in love with the way it looks. My truck when I bought it came with a 350 sbc I am so glad that I sold it now. For me all the eye candy really is satisfaction on the 235. My last piece of advice is if someone is going to rebuild one like what I did I would read the book Rebuilding the small-block Chevy by Larry Atherto and Larry Schreib. Yes I know its not about the inline but most of the same principles apply. I did mine backwards I am usede to doing things the hard way, I rebuild mine 235 then read the book and it really hit home and brought closure to why I needed to do what I did on the rebuild. I am now reading Chevorlet Inline Six-Cylinder Power Manual. Its very interesting.

Lastly, I think to each is their own and you either love the 6's or not. If you want a v-8 that's cool too. I just knowing what I know now would not pass up the opportunity of rebuilding another inline 6. It may be an economic thing for some one wanting a crate engine but for me it was worth the expense, time and space for the 235. I understand the v-8's are cheaper but I really appreciate and admire the old technology.