The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 swap

Does anybody foresee a problem swapping a 216 out of a 1952 3600 for a 1954 235? The motor i believe is from a car that had a three speed manual. My truck is a 4 speed with granny. Anything weird I should know before pulling the trigger? How much is the motor and tranny worth? Any input is appreciated.

350 bucks tops

'54 is the perfect 235 for this swap, comes factory with the high water pump (like the 216) . Did exactly same swap on my 53 3600.

Also, I used the original granny four speed, bell housing, flywheel, clutch etc behind the 235.

Great input, he wants considerably more money but I was going to shoot for $500 considering the road trip adventure to retrieve it.

$600 for a running non smoking $235 is right at the top of the market. Fresh rebuild and HiPo stuff will up it some. If able, I would do a compression test before even talking money. 🛠

$600 would be ok if you had to do nothing to it but just drop it in. So with that said, if you have no way of hearing it run or see a compression test like Martin says, it is only worth core value IMHO
Have seen of recently many inflated used 235 parts on craigslist and ebay. One of my favorites is a shirfter top off a sm420 that looks like it has been outside forty years and completely rusted over but the seller wanted $75 for it. Make the wrong purchase and you may have to put another $1500 into it to get it up and running. Machine work aint cheap.

If you are not able to witness it running, then you should run.
If it is worn out, you're looking at thousands of dollars in parts and machine work. More if you cannot disassemble and assembly the engine yourself.

If you cannot hear/see it running, chalk that trip up as part of your education on how not to buy any engine.

Does the owner/seller say that he/she can start-up and run the engine for you?

I just rebuilt a 235. It was in fact 1000's of dollars. It took 4 heads and 1300 miles and right at a grand just to find a "not cracked" and usable head alone. These stovebolts are incredibly expensive to rebuild. Machine work is horribly expensive any more. I did 75 % of the rebuild and it still puckered.me up... I met alot of nice people on this journey and enjoyed visiting about old trucks and tractors with each and every one. That's is what made it all worth it!

If the engine is out and on the floor you can building a simple engine stand (see Tech Tip here on the Bolt) and take it with you.

Set the engine on the stand, connect a rubber hose to the fuel pump and stick it in the gas can with fuel . Remove the fan belt, take the t-stat housing off, stuff a rag in the water pump radiator inlet (to keep the water from gushing out) and put a garden hose in the T-stat hole and fill the block, then let it trickle out after the block is full. Hook a fresh 6v battery to the started with HD jumper cables and hook a small jumper wire to the coil (this your On-Off switch) and step on the starter switch....it should run.

You can also do a compression test while it's on the stand.

Spending an hour or two checking things out before you hand over your money will save you in the long run and make you feel better about your purchase.

Good luck!

Mike B

my truck had this done sometime in the 60s by the original owner, it would have had a 1951 216 in it but it has a 1954 235 in it, its a chevy 3100. when i bought the truck there was a second engine in the bed, stripped of all its parts, appeared to be a second 235, and it was definately used for parts by the 2nd owner (probably to make it run). anyway, it shouldnt be too big of a issue fitament wise, everything goes in just right on mine. as for a tranny i cant help ya there.