The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 general questions

hello all,

Grandpa gave me a 62 Stepside 1/2 ton with what I assume is a 235 inline 6 cylinder engine. Is there any other options for a stock 62 1/2 ton with an inline 6?

It also has the 3 on the tree transmission. The truck is all original with about 92,000 miles.

The motor is losing oil like there is a hole in it when it was running. It will not start now, despite rebuilding the carb and replacing the distributor and coil. In any case, the motor needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

I usually work on one of the other brands and I know nothing of engines and transmission compatibility for these old Chevy's.

So here are some questions, please feel free to provide any other basic info on these engines and tranny's:

1. at 92,000 miles. would rings and seals be good enough?

2. If I rebuild it, any reccomended kits or suppliers? how about a short block?

3. Any chance a 350 will bolt up to the 3 speed? If so, where can I get motor mounts?

Thanks, any help appreciated

gtex,

I think a 1962 C-10 and a C-20 could have had a 235 or 283 engine. A book I have also says a 261 was not available in a 1962 1/2 ton truck.

Tim

If you're going to tear into the 235, I would recommend a complete rebuild. Since the 283 was an option on the 62, dropping a 350 in won't be that difficult. A set of mounts should be available at your local parts store, the small block chevy used the same basic block and mounts for years. The v8 bell-housing should fit to your 3 speed.

Depends on whether you want to restore the truck or make a better runner out of it. The old 235 six isn't bad, but it's never gonna be a real stormer.

If it were me, I'd sell the six to a stovebolter lookin' for a motor for an older truck, then drop a V8 in. You'll need a bellhousing, as noted, because the V8s have different bolt patterns than the old sixes. Easy to find.

Check out how the motor mounts - they keep changing and offhand I have no idea how 62s were done. But V8s were stock in 62, so you can find mounts.

I once had a '64 1-ton worktruck with a stormin' good 350 in it, truck 4-speed, and 4.11 or so rear end. Ran great on the highway, at about 4 grand or so, but it could pass darn near anything.

Cheers!
George

Any suggestions on where to get a 235 short block or where to find motor mounts and a tranny bell-housing for a 350?

If I need to hit the junk yards, what year trucks, trannies and engines should I be looking for? Are all V8s of these years comparable to the 350 as far as bolt pattern?

Sorry for all of the questions. I'm just new to these Chevy Trucks. I'd like to get this running as I have recently rebuilt the suspension and brakes. It just needs power :-)

The way to find a 235 is to post an ad in the swap meet section, and one will find you. I did that and ended up with one, and then I found a nice 261 so the 235 is holding down my garage floor as a spare. If you want to keep it six get a 261, they are nice, or if you want a 350 V8 just get a '63-up bellhousing from either a 6 or V8, they are equivalent and will fit your crossmember. You can keep your tranny or go with any number of choices.

Thanks.

Understand, that I don't want another used 235. I have one of those. I want a rebuilt short-block. I've got 5 cars,including 3 old project trucks. Rebuilding a motor myself is just not in the time budget.

Now, if a rebuilt 235 short-block is going to cost me $2000 and I can get a 350 long block for $1200. I'll pursue the 350 bell-housing and motor mounts.

Provided I find a V8 powered truck, what years motor mounts will work?

gtex,

You'll have to move the steering gear outboard 1-3/4 to 2" to accomadate a V-8. And thats with a careful selection on the left hand exhaust manifold.

You will need to get the 235 rebuilt yourself, they aren't common enough to be had off the shelf.

ARE WE CALLING A 235 A SHORT BLOCK? BECAUSE I ALWAYS THOUGHT A 350 WAS A SHORT BLOCK AND A 454 WAS A BIG BLOCK. I KNOW A 235 IS A STRAIGHT 6. PLEASE JUST CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

A "short block" is the block without head(s). Can be any size engine.

Any place to get a rebuild kit?

Thanks for the info on the steering. Sounds like I'll be staying with the 235. I don't have time for another coversion project. I'd just like to get this thing running.

I guess I'll check the adds for a recently rebuilt motor.

Thanks,

Kanter.com has them, or your local machine shop.

Jim Carter's Classic trucks has 216, 235 and yes, 261 shortblocks, rebuilt, shrink-wrapped and ready to go out the door for about $1500 or less. Saw 'em with my own eyes when I visited KC a couple months ago.

I called Jim's, they actually quoted me only $895 + $150 core and shipping for a 235 short block. Sounds like a deal, no?

It would probably cost me $600 to get a rebuild kit and have my block cleaned up. Sounds tempting.

hello gtex. i don't think you will have to move the steering box on a 62 as they were available with v8s. the earlier trucks [55 first series and earlier] have the problem with the box being too close to the engine for a v8 to fit easily. i think yours is a bolt in with the right mounts and bell housing as mentioned earlier

garyg,

You are soooooo correct about the steering gear. Must have been late at night when I posted that one... :rolleyes: