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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | My nephew has my old 64 truck with a 230 in it. He's looking for a spare motor to build and set back for 'the day'. We see quite of few Chevy inlines on the for sale websites. Is there an easy way to spot the difference between these two engines from pictures on the ads? We see them mostly with external parts missing like carbs, pulleys, manifolds, and so on.
Thanks
Last edited by beltfed; 10/31/2016 3:08 PM.
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 | The valve cover on a 230 has 6 bolts holding it on, while the 235 has 4 bolts. Also there is a difference in the placement of the distributor if you can see the passenger side of the engine: the 230 distributor is farther forward vs the 235 which is more in the middle. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | How do you easily spot the difference between a 230 and a 250? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 | You don't, they look identical, same block #'s could be either or. have to look in the cylinder 230 has flat top pistons, 250 has dished.
Tommy
59 apache 1/2t
261 short stepside
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 | As for external differences, beside what was noted above, the 235 will have a road draft tube, in 1963 when the 230 was introduced that became a pcv valve. Also the 230/250 has a web on the engine like a small block where the bell housing bolts on.
Tommy
59 apache 1/2t
261 short stepside
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 | Let's not forget a modern oil filter.
Tommy
59 apache 1/2t
261 short stepside
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | The 235 has one side cover but the 230 had two, I believe. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | Thanks guys, that help a lot.
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | While we are at it, 194/230/250/292 have modern bellhousing, same as V8. 292's have pushrod cover that is about 6" tall, considerably taller than 194/230/250.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 | 292's also have the motor mounts offset about 3 inches side to side. 194/230/250 engines have mounts straight across from each other.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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