The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 235 to V8 project update

I've been out of touch for awhile.

When I last was here, I mentioned my 235 cracking. I have pulled the head off twice and put it back on. I am certain the problem's in the block. It will actually run, until the #2 cylinder gets enough water in it...after a couple of miles, and until then, you'd have no clue there's a problem. It's a shame, because it's a real nice and detailed inline 6.

Anyway, I've tried to buy 292's a couple of times, but have been beaten out both times by just a day or so.

I have a nice 4-bolt 355 engine in an IROC Camaro that my daughter doesn't want. I am rebuilding the stock-type 305 tuned port engine for it so that I can retrieve my 355.
I also have an SM-465 tow truck tranny with a power take off (which won't be used) that I picked up for a song...$75.
I also have a Dana 60 rear end I picked up for $200 bucks which needs a new ring and pinion.
...So basically, I've been collecting parts and researching.

The biggest pain in the butt is going to be moving the steering box. Different people have had various solutions, but none are very straight forward or easy. I am going to try something. Sanderson cast headers are by far the tightest thing out there. It's basically a short-turn radius straight down for each port that only sticks out 2 1/4" from the block. That's at least an inch shorter than shorty headers, and doesn't swing up and to the center like ramshorn manifolds. If anything will work with a minimum of modifications to the truck, that will.

Speedway motors has about 3 or 4 different methods of attaching a V8 between the framerails. So that's not an issue. I've even got the right bellhousing.

The biggest thing will be pulling that 355 out of the IROC, which has never been an easy car to work on. And yes, it's very tempting to simply bolt the 305 in there and save the trouble. That option remains open.

The 305 is warmed over, 30 thousandths overbore, 9.5:1 compression, bigger cam, ported heads. It should pull down at least 275 horsepower, better than 100 horses more than the wheezy 165 horse stock. So yeah, it'd be a HUUGE improvement over a 235.

...But that 355 is almost 100 more horse more than that even...and I'm feeling greedy here.

Hotroddad: go for it. I have a 305 sitting on my engine stand for when the time comes, to go in my 52panel. I will follow your header situation very closely. That topic has been beat to death a few times. Some say the block hugger headers will work, some say the early 265 V8 will work and some say a standard header will work that comes out the back of the header.I printed out someones reply that did not move the steering sector and still had a 1/2 inch clearance. I got it stashed in a notebook somewhere. Keep us posted.

I had a 225 Buick shoehorned into a '55 Willys CJ-5. That was a tight fit. The steering box stayed in its stock location by using two passenger side rear-dump manifolds. That made the driver's side front-dump, and a carefully bent exhaust pipe made the steering box clear. Maybe you can do something similar.

Thanks. I just ran Dyno 2000 on my overbored 305, and with the higher compression pistons, I should be at about 296 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque. Not a power house but tremendously more powerful than my 235.

The 355 I want to put in is at 371 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque. That's something I want to feel, especially with a 4.56 rear end.

I'm gonna start building the motor tomorrow. (The 305). Then I'll swap engines in my IROC and I'll be closer to ready.

I'll post again when I'm closer to reality here.

Hello, I just put a 425 horse 383 in my "51 chev pu. I put a "80 camaro front stub in front of a boxed frame and that gave me all the clearances I needed. I used a 1983 S10 interior and column. The wiring was interesting but no big deal. The Chrysler posi does a nice job of keeping it straight. I'm still finishing the body work. I got the engine as a prototype and it runs out great.

I absolutely 100% guarantee the 265 manifold will clear the steering box, BUT, since you seem to be performance minded be aware that the 265 is a flat log type manifold with a two bolt flange that takes a flat exhaust pipe gasket. The outlet is toward the front and most have mount holes for the generater bracket. They are a real hassle solution for a stock engine but don't have good flow for a higher hp engine.

I just finished installing a small block into my 53 1/2 ton.I used 2 78-81 chevelle exhaust manifolds from the driver side.Driverside dumps in the back,and the other side dumps in front, just like the 55-56 265 exhaust manifolds do and I found mine at an antique car swap meet for $5.00. I did move my box over 1 3/4"s however and my inner fenders still fit without cutting.I might add that I used 55-57 Chev passenger car mounts front and back as well as a crossmember on the tranny.That means I have a 5 point mounting for the drive train ,I feel more secure that way as opposed to useing the 3 point mounting system.My engine ain't going any where.

i have a 292 block and crank that have been checked for cracks by machine shop. it needs a alignment hone and a couple of sleeves. it is yours for free if you want it, i know you are a ways away though. hr

Hoggyrubber,
I may just take you up on that. If I can find an opportunity sometime this year to come out and get that, I will.

I miss my truck bad. And the conversion to V8 is not that straight forward. It's all custom work. My daughter has nearly destroyed the 350 in my IROC, so I'm sitting here with a fully-built 300 horse 305 engine (slightly modified just to make it more competent). So I am finding myself at a cross roads once again.
...Take a chance that I can fix the 350 without a full rebuild, or use the 305, or sell them all and rebuild a cool old 292?

Even if though I probably will V8 my truck, I wouldn't be surprised if I someday go back to the 292 that I wanted in the first place.

I'll keep your name in the back of my mind and see if I can somehow get out there. I do have relatives in KC I wouldn't mind visiting.