The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 235 engine swap

I have a 47 3/4 ton Chevy with the original 216 and 3 speed in the floor. That engine is locked up tight after being parked for many years. I have a 235 out of a 52 Chevy truck that had a column shift 3 speed. I want to put the 52 235 engine in the 47 truck and leave the transmission as it is. I am probably the only one on this page that doesn't know this but will the 235 hook right up to the motor mounts and transmission on the 47 or will there be modifications that have to be made??? Thanks for the expertise!!!! slowgoer

You're not the only one. I don't know either. I have a similar situation with my '46 ('47 first series) 216 that I will be replacing with a 216 out of a '48. I'm pretty sure it will all bolt up but my question is with the tranny (rebuilt) that comes with the '48. It is a column shift and my 46 has a floor shift. What parts of the column shift tranny can be used in my '46 (if any) without changing the steering column? Are the clutches or anything else interchangable?

I am in the dark when it comes to transmissions. I have done quite alot of work on some of these old trucks but so far I haven't had to do any swapping of motors or transmissions. There are plenty of stovebolters here that can answer these questions. Maybe we'll hear from a few.

It's a direct (for the most part) bolt in but unless you go 1954 or newer, you're replacing a boat anchor for a boat anchor. Post 54 235's are pressurize lubrication system with insert bearings, which are much more dependable/reliable in most bolters eyes,
Scott

I think I am wrong in saying it is a 52 235. It came out of a 52 Chevy truck but I do not know what year the engine is. I actually thought all 235's were full pressure systems, are they not? Now that you mention it, wasn't 1954 when the first 235 came out????? slowgoer

I think the 235 dates back to at least 1948 in the 1 1/2 ton trucks and larger. I maybe wrong on the year, most books concentrate on the pick-ups. Get the stamped numbers off of the block between the starter and distributor and we can find out for sure what it is,
Scott

Slowgoer, if you post the stamped serial number from the smooth pad directly behind the distributer, I'm sure someone can give you a "born on" date. While you're at it, post the casting numbers from block, and the head and we can find out exactly what you got.
I believe the non presurized 235 first appeared in 1940-41(called "Loadmaster") in the larger trucks, one ton and up, I know the heads do not interchange with the later 235, and dont think much else does either.

You are right it did first come out in the 40's. I did a little research and also ran my block casting numbers. Hemmings says it is a 58-59 235 while the head says 56. Yes, I should have checked that first. I am not sure how it can be a 58 - 59, seems like it should be either one year or the other. Now the question still is, will this later model engine hook up with the 47 3/4 ton motor mounts and 3 speed floor shift?? In a previous post somebody said a 52 235 would fit right in. Is that still the case with a 58-59??? Thanks a whole lot for the info!! slowgoer

Some later 235's had bellhousing with clutch fork exiting right side (hydraulic), you need to use the 216 bellhousing. The front engine plate "might" accept the front motor mount or it could be side mounts in which case you need to change the front motor plate also to retain the front mount . There are pressure plate, clutch size differences also either will work but I think you'll need matching starters. Zeke

Another area to check will be the length of the waterpump shaft. It might be a long shaft. If it is it will hit the rediator. There are two ways to correct this, first and worst it to cut the support bracket and move the rediator forword. The second and best way is to purchase a short shaft water pump from one of the maney venders available. DON'T CUT THE SUPPORT!!!! those things are almost impossible to find in stock condition.

If you are swaping in a truck engine the only major modificatipon is swaping the bellcrank and modifying the acellerator lincage.If its a car engine you will need to swap the front mounting plate.