Hammer,
I just did my '54 235 this winter, go to northern autoparts online - the entire kit with everything except the crank & block was about $450 for the '55 - 62 235. It costs over $600
for the '54 kit. The only differences between the '55 and '54's is the oil pump, the main bearings, and the lifters, so I talked northern into swapping the earlier oil pump into the kit and I cancelled the Main bearings (The '54 main bearings are very expensive - Northern & everybody else gets $120 and up for them). I then went to Kanter's for the mains - and they sell them cheap - $40, so the whole package only cost me about $450. I also had to change the push rods because the '55-62 lifters that came with the kit are shorter. I shopped everwhere - even Patrick's couldn't touch the price -- in fact he may just buy out Kanters supply of Main Bearings
. By the way I had the engine built by a local shop and had all the sizes when I ordered the kit, and it all went together perfect.
Good luck on your engine !
