Greetings!
It's all in the subject line; I want to discuss the 235 and 216. I have been stalking thru the forum for a little over a year reading posts and threads and watching youtube videos and following links. I own a 1940 Chevy and I've been going thru the body and wiring over the last year and acquiring parts. I bought a 1951 216 that runs to drop in to make her mobile and for testing, etc. The engine which that replaced is what I believe to be a 235. The lifter cover is the smaller one which only covers the camshaft access and the v-belt is narrow and the gauge of a more modern v-belt, whereas the 216 I bought has a wide v-belt and the cam cover completely surrounds the spark plugs and a different carburetor. So feel free to jump in and describe the differences between 216 and 235. The 235 that came in the car is locked up and has no sludge or oil filter canister or oil in it, which lead me to the conclusion that it was a rebuilt motor that was never fired and allowed to seize.
Then, there's much more. I see some people install stand alone GM fuel injection, others a multi carb setup from Fenton or Clifford or Offenhauser and install split manifolds from fenton or use the stock GM corvette part #'s. people work around the issues of heating up the fuel mixture with piping and dry heat or wet plumbing, and the 235 seems to be catered to dress-up finned valve covers and cam cover. What I don't see is multiple spark discharge ignition and bigger rocker arm ratio's or even roller rockers. Or camshafts. From what I've seen in videos there is a HEI distributor that has been used on a 235 and obviously that's 12 volts, I have sourced 6v to 12v step-up transformers for close to $100 a piece, but the amperage drawn by a stand alone, fuel pump, MSD-6AL ignition box, and headlamps will way exceed the 30 amps the generator will provide. Anyone running a 6v alternator? Or has anyone run dual voltage on their cars, one system for the car on 6v, the other on 12 for the engine bay & headlamps ( I am a HID lighting person)? Which systems have you used for fuel delivery? If I were to go the fuel injection route I would want dual exhaust, can the fenton manifolds be drilled for an O2 sensor, or will it be only possible with a bung welded after the manifolds in the piping? I would really like to hear all of your experiences, 216/232/262 because it is getting close to winter, and this will be the time for machine work and I want to make a decision on what will work best. I am also looking for a better clutch, and word on which brands are best? Has anyone ported and polished their head? Installed larger valves/stronger springs?
Thanks for reading thru this, if you've made it this far, I am a new member but I am planning to stick around a while. If you can help me with your knowledge/sources I will be eternally grateful, and so will my car.
