I am getting ready to pull the original 235 out of my 54 Chevy truck because it is smoking and using oil, and will eventually overhaul it at some point. For now I am looking at buying a later 235 that came out of a 59 Apache pickup to drop into my 54. What will I need to change on the 59 to get it to mount up in my truck? I know the front engine mounts on the 59 engine are different and I believe they are on the side, but can the front timing cover from the 54 be used on the 59, or is there something else I would need to do?
What about the rear mounts? I assume I can use the 54 bell housing on the 59 engine?
The primary problem will be the position of the water pump. 55-up engines have the pump about 3 inches lower on the block and further forward which creates fan clearance problems. There is a conversion adapter available which allows you to mount a 216/early 235 water pump to the later engine that repositions the fan properly. It requires drilling and tapping two holes into the later model block, but that's not difficult to do.
The 54 bellhousing is a bolt-up swap, and the front timing plate can be drilled for the earlier mount if necessary. 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! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
The primary problem will be the position of the water pump. 55-up engines have the pump about 3 inches lower on the block and further forward which creates fan clearance problems. There is a conversion adapter available which allows you to mount a 216/early 235 water pump to the later engine that repositions the fan properly. It requires drilling and tapping two holes into the later model block, but that's not difficult to do.
The 54 bellhousing is a bolt-up swap, and the front timing plate can be drilled for the earlier mount if necessary. Jerry
Thank you Jerry!! I wondered about the fan position. Do you know who offers the conversion part?
You can adapt the timing plate to work on the '54 motor mount. The modifications can be made without removing the timing plate. I have done it with the engine on a hoist, just be careful and take adequate safety precautions.
The timing plate for the AD trucks has two square holes for carriage bolts to pass through. The bolts go from the top down and the squares hold the bolts in place when they are tightened up.
To modify the TF timing plate, which has no holes in the bottom, carefully mark where the holes would be for an AD truck. If you go to Deve's website...devetechnet.com...you can find very accurate measurements and a template.
Deve's instructions explain how to add the two square holes to accept carriage bolts. The problem is that one of the carriage bolts won't fit into the hole unless you do some tearing down to get at the hole. Instead, drill the holes and weld a nut in place on the crank/cam side of the timing plate. As I recall, the carriage bolts are 7/16 fine thread, so use that size nut. Then you can attach the motor mount by installing the bolt going up into the weld nuts instead of down using carriage bolts.
Very simple and easy. Does not require any tear down other than removing the harmonic balancer.
It's also on Ebay at a better price without the resto-ripoff markup. Search "235 Chevy water pump adapter". 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! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Check out Pre 68 Dave's blog. He's the guy who makes the adapter and he has very good information about this (and many other topics about these engines) Chev 235 Guy
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The link won't work no matter how many times you try to post it.
You got caught by the Photobucket Rip-off. They want you to upgrade for 3rd party hosting.
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Kevin, are you using your phone instead of a real computer?
You can post photos to this forum but you have to follow the site photo posting policy at the bottom left of this page. If your using a phone you can't see the policy.ðŸ›
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Kevin, are you using your phone instead of a real computer?
You can post photos to this forum but you have to follow the site photo posting policy at the bottom left of this page. If your using a phone you can't see the policy.ðŸ›
No, I am using my desk top computer. I was just going to show the oil stick being 2 quarts low.
Thanks for the information. I was trying to post the old way!
