The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '58 235 for my '50 1/2 ton

Good evening everyone. I'm considering purchase of a 235 out of a '58 passenger car to put in my '50 1/2 ton. It already has a '56 235 in it, but it's in bad shape. My truck is 6 Volt now, but the new engine has a 12 Volt system. Is there anything other than that I need to know about (mounts, etc). My truck is a 3 speed. The new engine still has a Powerglide (?) transmission attached. Thank You in advance for the help!

You will need to use your bellhousing, 6V starter and 6V flywheel. You'll need to put a pilot bushing in the crank of the '58 engine.

If your truck has a 235 in it now it must have an altered water pump. You'll need to use it too. The stock '58 will be too long.

I'm not familiar with car front mounts but if the holes aren't drilled, you can drill them, then square them with a file.

Use your 6V coil.

The '56 would have been a 12V too. The start/ignition system should now be powered by a 12 V ,while the rest of the truck could be 6V using a voltage reducer. Are you sure the current engine is a '56? And are you sure about your battery voltage you are using now?

Yes, I think the engine is a 56...but maybe it's a '55 now that I look at the numbers.

Here's what I see.

B54848

GM25
3836848

My truck has a foot starter and a 6 volt battery. I'm obviously not savvy on these things so I do appreciate the help. When I bought the truck I was told the engine had "no power" and may have overheated at some point. I got it running and it is very weak. I have an opportunity to pick up this '58 engine that's a solid runner, so I thought I'd just do a swap and then take my time to rebuild the old engine somewhere down the road.

Try to get the generator, regulator, coil, resistor, and horn relay along with the engine and then all you need for a 12V conversion is bulbs.

Or, leave it 6v and use the clutch/bell housing, clutch assembly, flywheel and starter from the '56 that is now in your truck

And, use the coil and generator from your '56 that is now in your truck.

As stated by Cletis, use the water pump that is now on the '56; and, you might have mess with the front motor mount.

Then, there would be no need to mess with other electrical components.

I picked up the engine today. I got everything except the horn relay. Can I use my current 6V starter with this engine? This one came out of a '58 Chevy Biscayne, which was running just 2 weeks ago (70,080 original miles so it's got some life left in it). The Biscayne was obviously a key start and I'd like to use my existing starter (the one currenlty in my truck) to retain the foot pedal start.

I'm thinking I'll go ahead and convert everything else to 12V. This engine I just bought came with a 3-speed attached. I don't know if that's the same as the 3 speed I have in the truck now, but I guess I'll stick with the one that's in there since I know that's working well. I noticed "Patrick's" carries a 12V conversion kit. Are these items (Runtz resistors,e tc) available at local auto supply stores?
Again, thanks for all the input thus far. I'm sure I'll have a whole lot of questions once I start the swap.

Do you know what the engine was last run in? If the engine has a 3 speed attached then it most likely has a 12V flywheel. It won't mesh with a 6V starter. And if your driveline is enclosed it probably isn't the same transmission. The bell housing is most likely a later model meaning it won't bolt to a '50 model's mounts. If all the above is true, you still need to use your bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, transmission and starter. If you decide to go with the 12V starter, you'll need to use the 12V flywheel.

If all your 6V components are good there is really no need to convert to 12V. Just make sure all the ground straps are clean and secure and the battery cables haven't been replaced with 12V (small) ones. Yours should be big fat rascals.

Thanks for the information. This engine was in a 1958 Biscayne just a few weeks ago. At this point I'd like to go the easiest/quickest route to getting my truck on the road. I'll do some some more research tomorrow and figure out what I've got.

The 6 volt starter can be used with your truck's original 216 flywheel so the teeth match and is ok with 12 volts. Ths can be put together with what you have on hand. If you use the flywheel from the car you can use it with a 1955-1959 12 volt foot type starter from a FLAPS with your original bellhousing. If you use the later flywheel the timing ball will be in the right place which is what I would have done had I known better. A timing light is no good with the old flywheel. Local electronics suppliers should have resistors or any of the vendors if you're buying other parts. Patrick's conversion article made it a breeze if you haven't already looked at that. I drove mine several years on 6 volts with no radio so 12 volts is music to my ears. Good luck and it sound's like you got a winner.