The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 at it's limit...

I have a 49 1/2 ton that I'm pretty happy with but wonder about the next step, which would be a little more "oomph" over 65 mph. For now, there's a '62 235 sitting above a Mustang II front end, followed by a buffalo engineering flywheel adapter to a 700R4 and a 3.55:1 rear axle. The engine is bored .030 and sports a pair of Holly Weber two barrels on an Offenhauser intake. What else... split exhaust from Fenton headers, HEI ignition, double pulley for the harmonic balancer to help with all the belts for the power steering (which may be unneeded) and the A/C (which is seldom used).
So the question is, finally, what advice do ya'll have: add ?, remove ?, replace ? start over or just be satisfied.
This is my 1st post, so please be gentle until I know how all this works. Thanks!!

Sounds like a good set up. Don't beat yourself up over it. Go out and drive the heck out of it while smiling and waving to the admiring crowds.

It sounds like you may need to balance the engine, then add a fluid damper and drop a 12-port head on top. Then you'd barely be kissing to bottom side of the power curve at 65MPH!

Did someone just mention Nick Arias Jr.?

More or less, yes. However, Jr. sold the patterns to Wayne Mfg Co and the guy running Wayne recently disappeared with everyone's money including $2800 from my own pocket. There is at least 1 other 12-port out there being produced "today", I think it is called Skinner. I can confirm that and dig up their contact information; if anyone needs it let me know. You can probably find them quickly yourself by visiting inliners.org

Welcome Bapa! Nice to have you aboard.

Your setup is what many here have including me except for the 3:55 rear. I mention that because you'll get lots of opinions, some good and some just opinions without any basis but you can sort them out. Mine is somewhere in there for you to decide.

IMO, you can get the rest of what your engine has by doing some needed head work. That is where the power is hiding. You can also raise the compression but it won't give as much power as the head is holding back. As you are already running an effective 2:48 gear maybe the original 4:10 rear gearing would let the engine run a smidgon better with an effective 2:87 but not much of an improvement is it? So as others have said, go to a 12 port or do some work on the stock head.

I get to Hastings 2-3 times a year. Next time I'm over I'd like to see your truck if it's OK.

And again, Welcome Bapa.

Like these guys said, about the only way to get more out of the 235 is with head work. You can gain some with an 848 head, compression is a little higher. A good port and polish will help, along with milling. You didn't mention your cam. An upgrade there will open up the top end. Contact Patrick's (in the links page), and don't be afraid to go with an aggressive cam. Other than that you will need more cubic inches.

Momma always told me to stay away from Hastings, thats where they sent all the crazy people. She grew up in Burwell.

Two words: Nitrous Oxide

Thanks to everyone so far, and I hope to hear more. (My first grandaughter named me Bapa, and I'm pretty she didn't mean "gearhead", so the suggestions you're sharing will take some study, but it's sounds like a tweak or two is possible. Fred T, it's a stock cam, and my wife's from Loup City... she married the crazy one. 53Moneypit, you're welcome anytime, as are any of you others. ndnchf has it right... we do like the admiring crowds.

only babes use bottles and your engin want last as long. It could blowup the first time you hit the switch.