The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1954 235 going into 47 Chevy Fleetline

Greetings fellow stovebolters. It’s been about a year since my fleetline spun one of its glorious babbited bearings from its purportedly original 216 and as many before me chose to do is replace it with a either a 235 or a 261 full oil pressure inline sixes. For a while I searched for a 261 and came close to purchasing one but opted for going with a 235, reason being, my 46 Chevy half ton pickup I have with a 261 though an awesome engine only gives me 10 miles to the gal 12 if I’m lucky, I hope my 235 does better. Well after long searches I found a 235 stovebolt from a 54 Chevy pickup in Eugene Oregon. I was told it was running when pulled, that is debatable, tearing it down found two bent push rods and a brocken rocker spring hold down. The cylinders seem to be in decent shape, the rod bearings seem decently tight, with not too much play, soon I’ll have my friend, an older gentleman with experience in these classic engines go through it with me. My question is, I have acces to a rebuilt 55 235, for around $600, is it worth purchasing it and transferring all the good parts of it to the 54 block? Thanks for the wise advise beforehand. Can put up some pictures if wanted.

Either blocks will be ok, 54 is great because it has it's water pump in same location as your original 216. If you go with later block it most likely has the low water pump that will need to be modified to clear as it's water pump is longer and lower on the motor and fan wont clear. My buddy has eliminated the fan and gone with an electric fan so solve the problem and there is an adapter plate that can be installed to let you go with the original pump/fan. Been clearing my shop of 47 coupe parts lately if you need anything send me a note, most stuff is already gone. Best of luck Jim

Did the sedans use sidemounts on the block at one point?

in 40s pass cars had front mounts and only small stabilizers on either sides at the bell housing. Early 50s had side mounts.

Thanks for the info Jim. That’s why I waited for the 54 235, I had already read about all those advantages. The engine I got looked to be in pretty good shape on the outside but the head is going to need rebuilding, that would cost what, around $400? So if I got this rebuilt 55, I could just swap the heads and anything else I needed, water pump, timing chain, ect. all for around $600. Do you know why the 55 makes so much more power over the 54? The pistons on this one are stamped .030 over, that should make for a little more power no?Thanks for the offer on the parts.

Rebuilding head will cost maybe three times your quote, unless you have a friend that can do all that work. Swapping the heads would be the way to go but either case you need to have it checked out. Not sure about horse power difference, but basically same motor, cam, compression, head work and bigger intake valves (powereglide cars) plus carburation etc etc can make power. For me the major factor is rear end gears, 47 had swapped in a 54 passenger 3:55 diff from a powerglide car, that made her love the freeway.

wow, $1200 to rebuild the head? That’s a pretty penny. I’m definitely going with that engine then. Thanks for the heads up. Just saw your truck, very very nice. I’ve also thought of changing the rearend but since I only use it around town I’m leaving it as is for the moment, I love how it rides as original. One question, did you like the upgrade to the twin carbs? My Chevy gets me 10-12 mpg, couldn’t imagine what duals would get me. How’s yours do? Looks beautiful though, my compliments.

P.S. will the head off my old 216 work on the 235? I think I’ve heard it done before, any advantages-disadvantages?

Nope, only 53 Powerglide 235s, '54 and later will interchange, most 216 parts wont fit the 235s. Twin carbs can be a pain especially using antique/worn out carbs, Check Langdon's Stovebolt site for modern replacements. Just went with a small Holley four barrel in my 53 flatbed 235 and I love it. If you click on my '46 pu here, there are a couple pics of the coupe in there, it's now sold to a cousin.

Got it, thanks. How about those twin carbs and triples, did you like the upgrade?

See my edit in prev post. The triples were just for show, only center carb was playing the game.

Haha, cool, we’ll, at least it looked nice, no harm in that. What about your 46 pickup? How do the duals run, what kind of mileage do you get, big increase in power?

Wow impressed with your collection, sweet rides. The '46 now running dual NOS Stromberg BXOV-2s from a buddies collection, runs great with these carbs. Great finding NOS stuff after struggling with old krap for so long. As to MPG, don't think any of these old Chevs get but about 16 mpg at best, these things are heavy and with 4:11 gears the rpms are up there on the highway and around town it's not going to be close, maybe 12 mpg but I quit worrying about that long ago.
Regards
Jim

My 54 235 cost $2200 to have rebuilt being ok for unleaded, bored 20 over. That was 11 years ago and I don't live in a high dollar location.

Yeah, I stopped worrying about the mpg’s too. But my fleetline I did drive more so I opted for a bit less power but better gas mileage, I’m sure ittle move her faster than the 216 did with it’s 90 h.p. I’ll definitely consider putting a nicer cam in it for a little added grunt while I’m at it. Any suggestions on what brand and grind? Just looking for a little added pep, nothing crazy. Thanks for the compliments, I also have a 63 Plymouth Valiant convertible, nearly a stovebolt straight slanted six 😁, I can’t drive newer cars, no soul.

$2200 sounds like a good price, no more worrying about it braking down on you somewhere. I’m trying to do it myself for the added learning benefit. With all your guys help I’m sure I’ll get it done. Thanks for the input.