The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 engine replacement

I wanted a little advice on replacing my 235 engine in my 56 chevy truck. I am purchasing a 235 w/ a 2 speed auto transmission bolted to it from a 62 chevy 2 car, to replace my 235 engine that has a 4 speed manual trans bolted to it .
Thought here is swap rather than rebuild mine.
I am assuming a 235 from a car will bolt right into a truck. I think the issue will be the transmission. Can I just swap a 235 w/ auto for 235 w/ manual in the truck? do I have to shorten the drivetrain? bell housing or trans mount issues? my manual trans has issues too, wont stay in neutral. is it better to jsut use the new 235 and its automatic and swap everything or are there to many problems to contend with. Thanks in advance for any advise you can supply.

If the engine came from a ChevyII it is not a 235. It is more than likely a 194 which is a completely different series engine. It has different mount locations and nothing in common with a 235 . Also the auto trans from the Chevyll will not bolt up to your existing 235. This conversion would be similar to installing a V-8 with an AT in your truck.
You would need a need a front crossmember located somewhere in the middle of the engine, and a rear crossmember for the rear of the trans. It may also be necessary to remove the existing crossmember that your stock bellhousing bolts to. You will also need to modify the driveshaft.
Fred

frs56trk,
this engine other than a slightly skinnier valve cover seems very similar to the engine in my truck. the front view is dead on the same, the front motor mounts are located farther back on the 62 motor, but there are places to bolt my existing ones on to the 62. the rear is another story. the 62 trans, I am not exactly sure how to connect it to the truck. it looks close, but actual exact measuring would need to occur to be sure. there are bolt places on the 62 trans at the rear sides in very similar places to the 56, but the holes lay flat, and on the truck the crossmember bolt holes are on about a 30 degree angle. the 62's starter other than the floor start is in the same place and looks the same. the bolt patterns seem close ( but I have not measured) for both bellhousings. flywheel etc. dont know yet. I know the driveshaft will need to be shortened.
You seem well versed in this, got suggestions on using this motor? if my trans will not end up fitting this motor, can conversion kits be bought to bolt in the rear of the auto trans from the 62 into my 56 truck? I really think I can get the front bolted in, its the rear that concerns me. already own the motor and trans, so I would like to see what I can do to make it work. the 56 trans is obviously already mounted so boltholes wont match 62 auto to my trucks crossmember? flywheel issues too??

The bellhousing bolt pattern will be different, as the 194 (along with it's 230/250/292 kin) is the same as the V8 engines. doing the swap will be about the same as doing a V8 swap.
To be honest, you will most likely be dissapointed in the performance, as the 194 is underpowered for a truck, especially a 3/4 ton. Something you might consider looking for would be either a 261 (bolt in) or a 250 or 292 (same issues as using the 194, but much more power) along with a '55-'72 manual trans bellhousing.

so performance or not its a no go? how can I prove its not a 235?
kinda bummed out since I own it now. would love to use it somehow jsut to get the ole 56 out of the garage and the mrs. off my .....

How many bolts hold the valve cover the the head?

How many side covers does it have (on the distributor side)?
How many bolts hold each side cover on?

7 screws hold the valve cover to the head, 2 side covers w/ 3 bolts runnng through the middle of them

It's a 194 (230, 250, etc)Not a 235
Fred

Fred,

Do you know a website that has information on block and head casting numbers for those engines (and the 292)? While they might not be true stovebolts, they are excellent engines.

How would you tell a 292 from the smaller in-line six that you list above?

Thanks,
Tim

i have 7 bolts holding my valve cover on and three bolts on each side valve cover, does it look like this and have 6'' tall side valve insp, covers??
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=12A-1.jpg
and
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=DSC00313.jpg
here is what is involved w/ a 292 install. it was not an easy swap w/ re-located side motor mounts. but to me worth it. a 'free' 194 is WAY underpowered for a 1/2ton. forget any hauling/towing.
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=11.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=12.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=7.jpg

engine ID's
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engine_identification.htm
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/vin/vinbuster.html
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/VIN.htm
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/motormount_235.html

Tim,
I don't know of a web site for these specific engines. Inliners Int'l may have some info. I always look at the side covers as Jim has shown and the water pump bypass to ID a 292.

I agree, installing a 194 with a power glide would be a lot of work & expense with minimal result other than getting something on the road. It probably would be more cost effective to repair or replace the original engine & trans.
Fred

LOTS of GREAT SITES FOR ID'ing engines

http://www.adchevy.com/tools/castinglookup/

http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/chevytalk/GMhistory/1916-57cast.html

go to inliners and look up engine ID's, casting numbers. http://www.inliners.org/

http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/chevytalk/GMhistory/cast.html
http://home.znet.com/c1937/Cast.htm
http://www.adlersantiqueautos.com/articles/htbuyaot4.html
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/Tips/261_six.htm
http://www.adchevy.com/info/
http://www.ajgeneral.com/nova_production_numbers/
http://www.yearone.com/yodnn/tech/V...ProductionNumbers/tabid/353/Default.aspx
http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepages/Id_info/gm_engine_id/engineinfo2.html

Hey everyone. my truck is a light sunday driver. I build them and baby them. I can move on to a 235 when I find one if necessary. Mine has low compression and I have not had any luck finding anyone in my area to rebuild it. i do great on body work etc. but engines elude me. this truck is numbers matching so doing something w/ the original 235 would be the way I would go to. I was thinking of just getting it on the road.

someone told me I could find a v-8 bellhousing, put it on the 194 engine and use my manual trans. sound possible??

if you have a 194 ci ?? Use the links above to figure out what you do have first. don't buy any thing unless you know what you want to do w/ this rig.
get a bigger motor like a 261ci
reselling the truck many moons from now will do you better by a 230 and up motor for a 3/4ton rig.

period