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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 28 | Where can I get a 235 Head for a 1954 BelAir motor? Are all 235 heads the same? Thanks, JS | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | The 235 head was changed in 1956 to the higher compression "858" head.
That head will work in place of earlier 18 head-bolt 235 heads (1954/1955). | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 | A 1956 and later head will have a larger hole for the temp sender, but a common adapter is available.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 620 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 620 | Tim, I have a stock 56 235 on a stand. It needs a rebuild. Is there any power advantage if I put the 858 on my 54? Ed
Currently making 1954 3100 better than new and Genetics
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 309 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 309 | Don't you mean 848 head?? Bill | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | The low compression head can be milled .090" to make it have the equivalent compression ratio as an 848 head, but some other modifications must be made such as recessing the intake valves the same distance to prevent valve to piston contact. It's also necessary to make some modifications to correct the rocker arm geometry.
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!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 620 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 620 | Yes Bill, slip of the finger or of the brain, Jerry, we have a saying here in The South.....If it ain't broke don't fix it. I will leave well enough alone. Thanks for the reality check. Ed
Currently making 1954 3100 better than new and Genetics
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2017 Posts: 1,609 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2017 Posts: 1,609 | Rebuild the 56 and put it in instead of the 54. Little better compression, non-shimmed bearings and neoprene rear main seal. But to answer your question, yes, you will get a little bump in compression and theoretically a speck more power. One other thing to keep in mind though is that the spring pressures are different amongst the various heads. 55 for example used two different pressures depending on the motor and the transmission. So you may want to check the spring pressure on the 56 head and compare to the 54 to accommodate what the factory designed for the cam.
Mike
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