The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1953 216 to a 1954 235

I have a 1953 3100 1/2 ton with a 216 engine that is about gone. I have purchased a rebuilt 235 from a 1954 3100. The guy I bough it from builds hot rods for people and himself. The truck he took it out of was his and he rebuilt the engine so I am pretty sure of the engine. It does however have a split manifold for dual exhaust. I do not want duals. Can I use the manifold from my od 216 on the 235. Also, what kind of problems will I run into in mounting this engine. Should it fit ok due to them being a 1953 truck and a 1954 engine? Thanks.

New Old- I may be corrected here but I don't think your 216 manifold will fit on the 235. You'll need to use a 235 manifold. As for the engine, it will drop right in it should have the same mounts and bolt up to your existing trans with no problem. It's an easy swap.

Good Luck
George

New Old 53,

46forme is correct about the intake/exhaust manifold for the 216 not fitting the 54 or later 235. It might be possible to use the 235 intake manifold mated up to the 235 exhaust manifold. Maybe some else will comment on this possibility.

I am pretty certain that the 1954 motor mounts are different from the 1953. You would have to use the 1953 bell housing and motor mounts (I think the swap is straight-forward - the flywheels have to come off in order to remove the bell housings). The '54 motor mounts allowed for no transmission mount (and cross member), so you should also use the '53 transmission mount (if it is stil on your '53 transmission).

If I am incorrect with my advice, you can bet that corrections will follow. You should find the '54 235 to be noticeably more powerful than the worn-out 216.

Good luck,
Tim

You may want to check the diameters of the front pully/harmonic balancer on the 216 and the 235. I put a '55 235 (narrow belt) in my '51 1/2T and found that you need the "smaller narrow belt" front balancer to clear the front motor mount.

I could measure for you but from memory they are 6.75" diameter for the small and 7.25" for the large.

PRW

Welcome to the StoveBolt Page!

Now if you need a good home for that split exhausts I think I could help you out. Always looking to help out a fellow bolter. Good luck with your swap.

I think you'll find that the ports on the 235 are larger than the 216. Both intake and exhaust.

New Old 53,
A few years ago I replaced a 216 with a 235 in my '50 with zero problems. Everything lines up.

Read the tech tip on the project on this website. Reconsider using the split manifold. You will have to have your exhaust changed anyway since the 235 exhaust will not come straight down but back at an angle. So, it won't be too hard to have a second pipe bent while you are at the muffler shop. Believe me, there is nothing like dual exhaust on one of these puppies. Sounds grrrrrrrrreattttt!

You might just want to have the local muffler shop fab and two-into-one for now. Then you can keep the manifold you
have. The engine is, as you say, professionally rebuilt and good to go - why mess with it?

George

53 3600

I agree on getting your local muffler shop to make a wye for the exhaust.

Motor mounts. If you use the 216 bell housing, you can use the rear mounts for the 216. They can be purchased through your local parts store, and will need a little rubber trimmed. I assume you have the front mount under the timing cover, which you can use, but I think you need to get the rubber from one of the old part vendors.

Temp gauge. If you still have the tube style temp gauge, the hole in the 235 head is larger, an adapter is available from the vendors.

Throttle linkage is farther aft on the 235. If available, get the linkage with the engine. Otherwise you will have to modify the 216 linkage.

Fan & water pump. The 54 235 should have the high mount pump, which will work in your 53. The fan from the 53 will probably be too long.

Drive belts. The 216 used 3/4" belts, the 235 had 1/2" belts. You can easily swap the pulley on the generator to 1/2".

The 1950-53 216 exhausts come back at an angle. My '62 261 manifold bolted right onto the 216 exhaust pipe in my '50.

As to your original question as to whether you can use your 216 manifolds on the 235 - the answer is YES. I have a 54 235 in my 39 PU and am using the original 216 manifolds and carb and exhaust.
However,if you haven't installed the 235 yet I would opt to go with the 235 manifolds, carb and exhaust. (Note: if you change the manifolds you have to change the carb too.)