The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Engine swap

My 50 1/2 ton Panel with a '55 235 engine needs to be rebuilt. I have an offer for a totally rebuilt 1963 230 with new starter, alternator, etc. I presently have the 3 on the tree and I am converting to 12 volt with a new Jegs kit. Is this 230 an easy swap into a 50? Do I need an adaptor for the tranny and do you think the engine mounts are the same. I am fairly new at some of this but checking all my angles before I commit. The price is cheaper than redoing my present engine. thanks for any advice. Brian

The 230 and 235 are totally different engines.
Different mounts,lengths,parts,,,etc........
It WILL work in your truck, but its not a direct bolt-in/swap. I'll stop here,and someone with more knowledge/experience with this kind of swap will chime in shortly and share their thoughts.
Good luck,
Marty

to a degree
i believe the length is the same on all L6 motors per santucci's book.
the GMC 302 is longer

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=009527#000003

http://no25.chuckthetruck.com/index.html

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=009302#000005

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=013805#000001

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=006945#000001

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=004121#000002

this reference shows the length is the same as your 235 as well as any L6 :p


what interchanges
[b]crankshafts from any of these engines also swap around. there's three basic crank types - the 194/230 (3.25" stroke), 250 (3.53" stroke) crankshafts from any of these engines also swap around. there's three basic crank types - the 194/230 (3.25" stroke), 250 (3.53" stroke)[/b] crankshafts from any of these engines also swap around. there's three basic crank types - the 194/230 (3.25" stroke), 250 (3.53" stroke) http://no25.chuckthetruck.com/page2.html

The 230 is a completely different motor and I don't believe anything of significance will interchange except maybe the distributor.

However this is still a reasonable swap.

You need a V-8 type bellhousing from a '55 to '67 truck. That bellhousing will fit your existing transmission and the 230, and can be adapted to your bellhousing crossmember. You could also swap to a '54 or '55 1st crossmember and the bell would simply bolt up.

You'll have clutch linkage issues and I'm not prepared to explain the solutions.

You can buy a $50 engine crossmember from one of the venders to mount the motor.

If the only reason to change motors is to save money I'd reconsider. Unless your 235 is really bad off the additional cost of parts and fabrication and delays in completion could make the swap more expensive than the rebuild.

If you wanted an automatic transmission and open rear drive I'd say the 230 was the way to go, but keeping the stock trans and rear axle you have lots of things to sort out.

Thanks for the info. My 235 needs the bearings redone due to scoring. But after your comments, everything I read here and at other sites seem to point that from my end, stick to the 235. The 230 being a 63, seems like a tougher fit. Patricks mentions that 1941 to 1962 interchange parts the best. I am going to look at my options. Thanks aain. Brian