The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 '55 2nd value

I have a 235 2nd that is a take out from my 261 swap. The reason I pulled it in the first place is that it burnt #5 piston from running too lean and with a sticking thermostat in the Salton Sea area that is below sea level. Anyhow, several quarts of oil later I got it home to north Washington State. The bores are reasonably good as are all but one piston and they're 0.020 over IIRC. The crank is good and I installed new bearings about 20K miles ago. I have a spare 828 head with good seats, stems and guides and two sets of valve rotators. If I can't find a single 0.020 piston it'll have to be bored and a new set of pistons installed. It's just sitting in the shop partly disassembled dripping oil and taking up space.

My question is the value of having a spare 235 truck engine and if it has any market value if I was to reassemble it with either a fresh bore and pistons or one new +0.020 piston and new rings. At some point either I'll have to sell it or my wife will. She's afraid I'll die and leave her to sell or, heaven forbid, scrap boxes of various truck and car parts, several old motorcycles and their boxes of parts -- not to mention the 1-ton pickup and camper. So the pressure is growing month by month. If the 235 was in one piece it would help.

What year of 235 is it?

In Tennessee, that would be a $200.00 "rebuildable core". Not sure what the demand and/or the price structure would be out your way.
Jerry

Oh, I forgot the '55 in front of the 2nd. It has the pinned main bearings and low water pump.

56 and newer blocks bring more $ here with 59-62 bringing the most.

I'd say it depends on what it might be worth to you.

I hate to say this but "several old motorcycles and their boxes of parts" will be worth more than the 235 around here...unless they're 1960 and 1970 two stroke or anything with fuel injection. Those seem to have little appeal around here. Honda 305, 350, 450 or some of the early 4 cylinder Hondas, most Triumphs (except the relatively new ones), BSAs, Royal Enfields, even some of the one-lungers like the Suzuki Savage are very popular if they're complete and not wrecked. Even the Honda 250 Rebels sell for some pretty decent money if they're not abused or worn out. I saw a 2007 Rebel 250 sell for $2,500 not long ago and a Suzuki Savage for sale for $3,900 (which is pretty crazy).

I think the girls and short men like the rebels. I got one running for a guy who sold it immediately after for $1200 oil leaks and all. But, sigh... What to do with a low mileage '88 Goldwing I can't seem to give away.

Any one of the other bikes is worth way more than a 235 but it all has to go at some point. Hopefully I did a good enough job on the 261 that I won't need a spare engine for a while..../s But but there this 48 one ton in a field near me with a cracked block. Maybe if I bought that and swapped in the 235..... my wife would shoot me. But then she' have to get rid of all the other stuff on her own. /s

Around here I understand they're popular with high school students. They're small, they're not difficult in traffic, they don't cost an arm and leg (usually) and they're not made to be driven too fast so insurance isn't too costly. Plus you can park them about anywhere. I saw one at the drug store a couple of weeks ago. A guy who looked maybe 17 and was taller than me came out, smiled at me, got on it, fastened his helmet and scooted away. Sounded really good...just like an older Honda. I would get one if my wife would let me but she won't.

Too bad you're not a little closer to Tennessee- - - - -I'd be on that deal like stink on a skunk! In June of 2014, I blew out a rear tire on my 86 Gold Wing 1200 at 65 MPH, and the bike rode me for a while. Five broken ribs, a cracked lumbar vertebra, almost tore my left foot off, and road rash everywhere! I've got plans on the drawing board to turn the remains of that bike into a Can-Am style 3 wheeler with two wheels up front. Once I get too old and feeble for the 97 Harley Soft Tail I'm riding now, maybe I'll have it finished. I'm only 79, and I haven't grown up yet! I'd prefer to start that project with a bike that hasn't been wrecked.
Jerry

Jerry,
Wanna ride an '88 Goldwing across the country. You sound like you could use an adventure. It's not really summer yet so It wouldn't be too hot. You'd just have to dodge the tornados. Low mileage, overdrive, cruise, radio, heater, white sidewall tires. Got a trailer hitch too.

Hmmmmm- - - - -want to meet me halfway? Maybe somewhere like Denver? I've got a nice bike trailer that one would just love to ride, and a E-150 Ford van that doubles as field-expedient motel room. There would be enough room on the trailer to give that 235 a new home, as well!
Jerry