The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 250 six

I am having a hard time finding a 235 6 cylinder but may have found a 250 Chevy six. Is there any thing are problems with putting a250 in a 52 3100 that I should be worried about?

The later 250 had what is called an integral head. Manifolds cast into the head. Prone to cracking. The early ones were separate. There are some mounting differences. Others with more knowledge will chime in shortly.

Other than changing the entire drivetrain- - - -transmission, driveshaft, rear end, and motor mounts, probably not. You will basically be installing a 20 year newer complete running gear in an older vehicle. Your checkbook will need a little CPR before you're done. A late 1955 to 1961 truck would require a lot less work, because it's already got an open driveline.
Jerry

So the 250 want hook up to the transmission bell housing that is in the 52? It was the original 216

Do you have any parts of a 235? Reason I ask is I have a 1956 235 which was in my 1952, but I don't have all the parts of it because some of those were used in the 59 235 I'm using now. It needs some work to be ideal and I'm happy to tell you everything about it (I've owned since 1978).

No...the 250 is all different...and as I recall longer and a shade taller.

Well there goes that. Looks like it may be easier to go with a ls motor and swap everything in the drive train out.

Not wanting to rain on any parades, but my advice would be to first figure out what you ultimately want to accomplish and how much you're comfortable spending. Swapping the entire drive train is more costly than Jerry has told you and there will be some headaches...especially if you've never done this before and if you're not 100% comfortable with every step. And you have to consider very carefully your suspension, steering and braking. You never want to walk into a swamp you can't leave...

You would need a bellhousing crossmember for a 54/55 pickup and a bellhousing for a 55-59 V8 to adapt the 250 to your present transmission, and custom made front motor mounts. Then the torque tube driveline and rear axle would be marginal at best.
Jerry

Ok here is my “plan”. I would like a nice truck, comfortable to drive, able to drive on highway at speed and reliable. No real time line and reasonable budget. I hope to do most of the work myself. But I do have help in body and mechanical areas. And of course this site.
Here is what I have. 52 Chevy 3100 short bed. Had a 216 in it but the crank shaft was broke. It is in drivable condition, not dependible but drivable. I hope if I find a replacement I could drive it and do a lot of the work on it too. After research I don’t want to go with 216. Although I found one in Colorado. I found a 235 local but it sold before I got ahold of the guy! Today I found a 250 close to me. Thought I had a deal but found out that wasn’t the ticket. So I am on the look out for a 235 within reasonable distance.

For the die hard 6 cylinder guys we have put a 292 in a 57 3100 and a 300 Ford in a 56 GMC; the Ford was an easier swap. Thin wall engines into AD's are not the easiest swap. If you have the ability the LS swap has probably more information available than any engine in history. Check out some of Barnfind's posts to see how what a budget swap an LS can be. Either the 4.8 or 5.3 iron block LS will give plenty of power AND 20mpg. Hard to top this. As mentioned, everything from the radiator cap to the rear license plate will have to be "modernized".

What's your definition of "reasonable distance"? 235's aren't quite as plentiful as belly buttons, but they're not scarce b y any means. It's also possible to build a stock-appearing "216" into a pressure-lubricated engine with almost 260 cubic inches. I've got one under construction right now.
Jerry

I could do an eight hour round trip for the right motor. I do have the complete 216 motor. If I don’t find an engine soon I may just take truck down to the frame and just take my time finding a motor.

That's what I'd do and in the meantime I'd also look into the possibility of changing the rear end, driveshaft and transmission...and I'd give serious attention and thought to the suspension, steering and braking in the truck. You can do exactly what you're talking about with the 235, but you need different gearing and you need one of the later 235s. You definitely need to concentrate on safety. I don't know where in South Arkansas you are, but I do know Arkansas pretty well. With the traffic changes over the past 20 years and all, you need a safe vehicle today more than ever before.