OK, I'm going to assume you plan to use the engine in the '38 truck you have mentioned in previous posts, right? Using a 235 would involve a lot less work and adapting than the 292 you mentioned previously. Here's something to consider- - - - -anything a 235 will do, a 261 will do better, and they bolt into the same places, a very simple swap into an engine bay formerly occupied by a 216. There's "no replacement for displacement" so taking advantage of the biggest engine available that's a virtual bolt-in makes sense. Our intrepid host John has a 261 available as a rebuildable core engine (See the "Truck parts for sale" forum) and I'm sure he would probably make you a good deal on it. Once it arrives, you could build it to your own specifications, and be right there to supervise the buildup.
261's have lots of room for reboring, so even if the cylinder walls are rusty the block will still be usable. The racers used to rebore them 1/8" oversize (0.125") and still get reliable performance. The only car the flathead V-8's we ran in a pair of 46 Ford coupes in the early 1960's had any trouble outrunning on a 1/4 mile oval was a 52 Chevy coupe with a bored-out 261 in it. Of course, our engines had about 255 cubic inches, and his was over 270!
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 04/04/2011 1:03 PM.
