It would be simpler to pay a good machinist to offset-grind the 235 crankshaft, and find some smaller-diameter rods that are slightly shorter than the originals. We used to do that with flathead Fords, by using 85 HP rods in the 100+ HP engines. It was possible to increase the 4" stroke 49-53 Mercury crank to 4 1/8" without doing any welding, and a 4 1/4" welded stroker was a popular size. Of course, racing parts were much more available for the Ford engine, special bore & stroke pistons, cams, etc.
The Chevy V-8 3.48" stroke crank can be reground to a 3 9/16" stroke by using the 265/283/early 327 rods with the 2" diameter rod bearings. Stock 350 rod journals are 3.100".
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 12/08/2008 1:58 PM.