The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Rebuild kit

When I purchased my '51 Chevy 1/2 ton, it came with a 235 already installed, but it is badly in need of a rebuild (I made the mistake of starting it on front of the garage with the door open, took quite a while for the smoke to clear out of there ) The casting number is 3835911, I believe it is out of a 53-55 Corvette? (some resources also call it "First Series"). I was wondering where some of you all purchased your rebuild kits? I see a few websites of companys that sell them, but I would like to use a place that someone has had good experience with in the past.

EDIT: casting code is G20 4, so I guess it was cast on July 20, 1954

I got my stuff from Patrick's, down in AZ. 520-836-1117.

My block has a casting date of K10 3 - Nov 10, 1953. It is .040 overbored, and has very little ring ridge. So, it's been rebuilt once, but seems to be in good shape. It's an early series pressure-oiler.

I just discovered that it apparently has had undersized cam bearings fitted. My cam, from Patricks, is 2.150, but the
bearing measure out about 2.143, all with the same micrometer. So, the cam won't go in. 8-(

Anybody see this before? Can anyone tell me how to
change cam bearings?

Another oddity: the oil pump is different than the replacement pumps sold by several vendors. So I'm gonna run the original pump. It seems to be in decent shape. I'll have to post pictures somewhere, it's hard to describe.

Drifting into mission creep here..... hope I can wrap this project up this summer.

Thanks!
George

I havn't yet pulled my camshaft, but I am assuming the cam bearings are pressed in, and may need to be machined out, but I could be wrong, this is my first time rebuilding this type of engine.

The cam bearings are installed with a special tool that has a long shaft and different size fittings along the length. It is used to knock out the old ones and insert the new ones. The bearings are then staked in place. I wouldn't do it myself unless I knew exactly what I was doing.

Anyone have any experience getting parts from Kanter Auto Products?

I buy the parts from the local shop that does my machine work. His prices are good,all brand name stuff and he can get any common part the speciality vendors can get. And while I'm assembling the engine, if there is a problem , a quick trip to the shop gets it taken care of, no phone calls ,or long waits.One time, the machinist figured a 20 over bore would clean up the block. A week later he called to say a larger bore was needed, a deep scratch in one cylinder.So it was his problem to reorder the pistons.I have bought cams from Patricks' and recieved excellent service and advise.

Hammer, I have purchased brake and front end parts from Kanter on four or five occasions. They are helpful and polite on the phone, I always got the right parts the first time. Shipping is very prompt as well...

I bought my 3.55 ring and pinion from Patrick's..He is a great guy, very helpful, and ships his parts quickly.

Hammer,
I just did my '54 235 this winter, go to northern autoparts online - the entire kit with everything except the crank & block was about $450 for the '55 - 62 235. It costs over $600
for the '54 kit. The only differences between the '55 and '54's is the oil pump, the main bearings, and the lifters, so I talked northern into swapping the earlier oil pump into the kit and I cancelled the Main bearings (The '54 main bearings are very expensive - Northern & everybody else gets $120 and up for them). I then went to Kanter's for the mains - and they sell them cheap - $40, so the whole package only cost me about $450. I also had to change the push rods because the '55-62 lifters that came with the kit are shorter. I shopped everwhere - even Patrick's couldn't touch the price -- in fact he may just buy out Kanters supply of Main Bearings . By the way I had the engine built by a local shop and had all the sizes when I ordered the kit, and it all went together perfect.
Good luck on your engine !