The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 235 to V-8

I am thinking of taking out the 235 in my 57 3200 and going with a v-8. I am a body man not a mechanic so it will be a first for me. The 235 it came with is just worn out and has a lot of parts missing so if I keep it a 6 cyl I would need a complete motor anyway. The trans x-member is also bent and needs to be replaced. I thought I could get a good used V-8 & transmission at one of the local salvage yards but am not sure what would be the best/easiest conversion. I know a lot of you guys (and gals) have done this before so I am open to any opinions.

Great idea. Ive done 2 of them & it is easy being the V-8 was an option in that model. There are several ways to go about it. If your crossmember has to come out anyhow you could get an aftermarket crossmember to go under the engine & one to go under the trans. You could use an 700-4r auto trans. or a T-5 manual 5speed. That way you get o-drive & solve the low gear ratio problem at the same time. Use the old rams horn exhaust manifolds & get a muffler shop to build a set of duals useing mufflers according to your sound choice. I like real long glasspacks. Post any questions on this websight & you will get plenty of help.

Thanks for the advice.The aftermarket crossmembers are not that expensive so I can go with that, but what size motor will fit, or will any V-8 go in there?

Any Chev. v-8 will fit but I would stick with a small block. (283 to 400). You won,t want to use to real early ones without the side engine mounts. (55-57 or8).

Easiest and cheapest motor will be the Chevy small block as Wrench said. You might find something else cheaper to buy but it won't be cheaper to install and maintain.

The question is can you get something new enough it doesn't need to be rebuilt without needing to install a computer to run it. Rather than shopping used you might investigate buying a crate motor. The cheap Chevy crate motors don't cost much and are intended to run a carb and distributor instead of a computer.

Of course if setting up a computer to run your motor doesn't bother you, there are lots of options out there.

Alan,
I did a conversion a couple of months ago for a fellow Stovebolter. We installed a Goodwrench 350 and used the original transmission. I made up a spreadsheet with all the parts and costs. If this would be of some use to you, send me an email and I'll send it to you.
Fred

The crate engine is the cheapest way to go in the long run if you can't find a slightly used one that won't need overhauling.