The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Corvette motor

I've seen some posts recently talking about motors being a "Corvette Motor". I think that this intake manifold and carburetors are the biggest thing that makes a Corvette motor.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...KVrQq0/w1118-h629-no/20140225_144936.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...93bCQk/w1118-h629-no/20140225_145031.jpg

My Dad had this on a '53 Chevrolet car that he had when he was in high school. Its been around for the last 50+ years waiting for the right thing to put it on.

If that is an original Corvette manifold/carb setup, it's worth mega-bucks to a collector. There have been a few badly beat-up ones on Ebay recently priced in the 4-figure range.
Jerry

It's real, matching carbs and they all have the tag still on them, linkage is complete and fuel line complete. It's one of my prized possessions that my Dad gave me.

Yes, the heirloom value is probably worth far more to you than whatever it would bring on the market. I've got a Carter Carburetor specification manual of Dad's that dates back into the 1920's that's over 8 inches thick. I won't part with it in my lifetime!
Jerry

I have a Corvette triple sidedraft manifold that's going to see the Parts for Sale section as soon as I work out a fair price.

I see several of these at the Oregon swap meet their not as valuable as you would think. And I think they take a special exhaust manifold. a friend of mine has one, they are almost impossible to find. The side drafts are COOL, I've always wanted to build a corvette six and put one in my 31 pickup. but its going to get a 270 jimmy possibly with 3 side drafts.
Jay D

The point here is what makes a 235 Corvette 235 different from other passenger car and light truck motors.

The significant difference was that the the 1953 Corvette 235 was the first high-pressure-lubrication stovebolt engine/block. No other 1953 235 engines/blocks (car or truck) had that characteristic.

You could bolt that Corvette intake/exhaust on other 1953 235s, but they would still be low-pressure 235s.

It would be interesting to know what Corvette head parts differed from other 235 car/truck head parts?

Tim, the '53 235's that came with a Powerglide had the full pressure motor also. Don

Thanks for the reminder/correction, Don.

There was one of these set-ups complete with the exhaust at the Decatur Swap Meet last weekend. Asking price- $3500. As far as I know, he carried it home with him.

Cool Don, I'd blow the dust of and put it in a display case in the man cave.
They certainly are rare and just don't come up that often. I see
a lot of rare items that go on the auction block for big bucks
If that right person with the deep pockets isn't in the crowd
then it just sits there. Mostly it's a marketing thing, you
have to get the word to the right people who specialize in
corvettes and appreciate the rarity of an item to get the
really big money. The average guy like me can only drool over
things like that knowing that it's a toy for the upper crust
not for the crumbs at the bottom of the pan.
But at least I've got a picture of it, thanks for posting those
Don.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Externally they were the same except intake, exhaust,& valve cover. Internally they used a higher lift cam in '53 and in '54 and '55 they used the 261 truck cam. Also they all used solid lifters.

I've exausted my Corvette knowledge, now I need a nap.

Have any of you guys seen any detailed history of what was done in the factory to the Corvette 235s besides the intake and exhaust and cam? Like special work on the head etc?

Those cars get badmouthed all the time when they cross an auction block for the 6 cyl but never do they mention the horrible powerglide. To bad Chevy didn't put a standard trans behind that motor, would have been so much more fun to drive.
My first cars was a '51 with a powerglide, what I hated most was that trans, all the stick shift cars of that day would run circles around me. Best story I've read on hopping up the early vette was an old Hot Rod article, think it was Frank McGurk that slid a 261 engine in there. To bad Chevy didn't read that.

The Corvette engine also had a different grind on the camshaft. First year was rated at 150 hp, then upped to 155 hp later.
Yeah the 50-52 Powerglide lacked the shift from low to high. It was recommended to just start out in high, unless on a steep hill or in mud or snow.
Starting in 1953 the Powerglide became self shifting, starting out in low then shifting to high itself. Much improved.

John