re. 235's. The head is heavy. Around 100lbs with the manifolds mounted. I had my head totally rebuilt with new valves, guides, seats, springs and keepers for $300. It was totally cleaned and ready for paint.
The crank is also heavy. I'm unsure of the mileage on mine but it was on std size main bearings. It was turned 0.020 down on the rod journals and 0.010 on the mains. You should see similar unless your banging is a bent/broken rod. Over sized bearings in those sizes were readily available.
Have the flywheel resurfaced. Theres really no need to have the assembly balanced, unless you're gonna run it WOT.
I had the block dipped and cleaned and it needed to be bored 0.60 over to get the cyl's true. 0.080 is the max you can find in pistons and rings and there are some that say thats too much.
Hopefully you'll need less.
Get a new oil pump since you're going this far. There are rebuild kits available but new are readily available.
You're probably going to need a new cam. At the least get a 261 cam or one of the aftermarket performance cams. The 53/54 Vette's with the Blue Flame 235's had a hotter cam shaft that is very close in spec, if not the same spec as the 261. Along w/3 carbs those engines were rated at 150 HP. They also had factory dual exhaust with working intake manifold heat.
Get new lifters with a new cam as well as the gear, spacer and hold down clap. You'll break the old gear trying to get it off. You can reuse the spacer and clamp so don't loose them.
As HRL and others have said, stay with the Carter if your staying single carb.
Get the Best Gasket gasket kit. If only just for the rear main rope seal. It is the best on the market. I personally think they are the best gaskets for these old engines.
There are on line parts houses that have full rebuild kits. Inquire on availability and when you can expect shipment before you place the order. You can end up waiting quite awhile for some of the parts. I waited nearly 2 months for the oil pump on my 54 but it is a odd yr.
Good luck
Dave
