The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1929 Chevy engine swap

I recently picked up a clean 1929 chevy with no engine. I think it had a 194 in it but I am not sure. It has the transmission. I am looking for the simplest most cost effective engine that I can put back into the truck. Here are my questions.
1. Would a 216 or a 235 fit and bolt to the existing transmission made for a 194?
2. Is there a smaller 4 cyl that I could put in it? If so any recommendations?
I am a handy guy and have worked on many cars in the past but I have never completely replaced an engine.
See the attached photos.
Thx!

Welcome to the Stovebolt.That looks like a nice old truck. here is a link to a discussion which might be helpful. Engine swap

Thank you for the link. Some good information for sure on there. I think this is going to be a bigger project then I thought. But it will be fun. Do you know of any kind of book that deals with 1929 chevy pickups?
Kudubull

So I've got a 1929 chevy truck as well with a long dead 194 and I've got a 216 here, but I need some help too on trying to keep the original suspension, am I going to have to find a 37-39 transmission and do some morphing?

I am doing a 1928 dump truck right now that came with a 4 cylinder but some idiot shoe horned in a 216. Of course the back 10 inches of the engine is through the firewall and beside the foot feed pedal. After checking out options I think the 153ci four used in early Chevy II's will be an ideal fit. The Chevy II and mail truck engines are getting scarce so I'm using the marine version, a Mercruiser 2.5. Had no luck finding a car type exhaust manifold so making up a shorty style header. The Mercruiser has 120hp compared to a 194's 50hp, a 216's 80hp and is as much as most of the later 235's. It's a very compact engine and will have 5" to spare in length over the original 1928 four banger. I made a very simple 1928 transmission to 1955 and newer bell housing adapter and using the straight bolt on cast iron early V8 truck bell housing; the one the starter mounts to. The Chassis Engineering flathead Ford type motor mounts will be cheap and easy to fab frame mount brackets. The four banger gives plenty of room plus has more power and FIVE main bearings. Entire project should come in at around a grand including the engine purchase. Will snap some pics if you're interested. Good luck with your's.

The advantage of the 1937-39 truck trans, is it will bolt to a bellhousing that will bolt to a 216, it is about the right length, and the U' joint yoke will fit the 29 drive shaft.