The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Youtube Videos? Need help installing a 235 into a 1952 1 Ton

Hi there!

I currently have my grandpas 1952 9430/3800 (I believe) and I am wanting to get it drivable again. I've recently bought a rebuilt 235 for it that I hope to drop in. But I am hoping to get some guidance throughout the process of getting it all together as I would like to have it driving for my wedding in the spring.

I have some mechanical knowledge and experience but I am very much an amateur in it all. Does anyone know of any youtube channels or videos that do a good job walking through some of the tasks? Or would there be any other suggested resources that I should look into that would help in this?

Thanks for your help!

Ryan - Since your topic is primarily about help with installing the rebuilt 235, the thread has been moved to the Engine Shop forum as the best place for continued help and conversation.

BTW - I added a bit to your title to better define the thread topic.

Is the old 216 still in the truck .It should go in the same as the 216 is sitting ,but there are a few things to check here are a few that come to mind .Depending on the 235 and what it was in prior the front bracket were the front mount goes may need to be drilled ,two holes for the motor mount.The 235 will be longer requiring a adapter to put the older waterpump on making it fit without moving the radiator as well as cantering the fan to the rad like the 216/was origional.(unless the 235 is a 1954/55 model that has the older waterpump.There are videos of the adapter plate if you look as well as tech tips within this site and many discussions.You will also need to check clutch when you make the swap .Hope you meet your deadline for your wedding congrats will be a cool wedding with your grandpas truck.

The 235 is longer than a 216?
That’s new to me
I did that swap but into a 1950

I took everything from the 216 and swapped it to the 235
And it dropped right in perfect
No drilling
No modifying parts
All plug and play like it was meant to work together because it was

The 235 is perfectly the same length as the 216
If it wasn’t the front motor mount wouldn’t have lined up
But it did

I used the bell housing and flywheel from the 216
I kept the timing cover and front mount on my 235 because it was identical to the 216
I swapped the harmonic balancer for the older larger belt pulley
The intake and exhaust manifolds I took from the 216 onto the 235 because they were in better shape and my old 216 carburetor was in perfect condition so I wanted to use it even tho it is a bit small for the 235 the bolt holes required the 216 manifolds
I transferred the starter and generator as well
And my 235 already had the same water pump as my 216 except the pulley was the wrong belt size so I swapped the water pumps too, I should have just swapped the pulleys in hind sight since I have the special tools for that in my water pump rebuilding box of goodies.

My 235 is the full pressure type not the older one with the rod dippers
It came from a 53 truck which would make it similar to the 54 USA truck engine
-s

The 235 is the same length as the 216 but the newer 235 have a newer casting with a different waterpump that makes the water pump longer. In my 54 gmc 9300 when I ordered a short block to replace the original the block came was newer and had the newer design water pump so I.to make the engine fit without the fan gouging the rad the rad had to be moved to the outside of the rad support about 2 inches ,this allowed about a half inch for the fan between the rad . This worked okay until I was in a line up of traffic in the middle of august we’re it was hot and the truck was close to overheating .The better fix is to use the adapter plate and use a older style waterpump as the newer pumps that are longer are also lower and not centered to the rad .Your 235 as I mentioned is the older style that had the same waterpump used on the 216 ,I think in 54 the pumps for the trucks had the 3/8 fan belt .

Here is a little more of what I was trying to show/say .first picture is newer 235 you can see the newer bird leg front motor mount but if you look at the front were the older front mount is located there are no holes .second picture is the two older and newer style waterpump pump.

Ah Yes i see what you mean
It would be a lot of work to swap that front mount part vs just drilling it
And the newer blocks have that different water pump yes
I remember hearing about that

Around my area the older 235 with the high pump is very common and plentiful engine
Many trucks had been swapped out in the past for that 235 so even picking up a 1947-52 truck is likely to already have the 235 full pressure engine in it

I suppose that’s less common to find the right 235 for this swap in many parts but worth it for the simplicity and end results.
-s

Yes I found out after my core was gone in the eighty’s .I am still learning in that your truck having a 53 235 full pressure .If I am correct it would have been from a 53 car with a auto transmission .Does your 235 have the older looking valve cover and does it have the captains bars that some of the 235 s had .Your don’t see much left of the older trucks in Ontario . Nice that there are still some hiding in Saskatchewan.

Do you know what year your rebuilt 235 is?
It will simplify how we can guide you along with getting the engine in your truck before Spring.
WIthout knowing what year the engine is, all you are going to get is a bunch of information, much of which will not apply to your specific situation.

Post photos of all the identifying numbers on your engine here. We like to follow Ronald Reagan's policy of Trust, but Verify.