The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 vs. 235

I was following this auction on E-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1873612480 for what was advertised as a rebuilt 235. It appeared to be a good looking engine and had quite a bit of work done and the price ended up being pretty good, I think. When I questioned how it could be a 235 with a casting in 1949 or 50, the owner replied that it was a 216 that had been rebuilt as a 235. Can that be done?

Texaholic2000,

235's date back to the early 40s:

http://www.antiquechevytrucks.com/Content/Engine%20Information/engine_235_body.htm

Nonetheless, in my opinion it is fraudulant to call a rebuilt 216 a rebuilt 235 even if the rebore resulted in 235 (or more) cubic inches.

Tim

That engine is not a US made 216. The US 216 had a sidecover that extended to the top of the head and the side of the block and head were designed for that. That engine also appears to have a more modern type valvecover on it. The Canadian 216s did have the same appearance as the 235s of the era. This included not having the external oil line on the driver's side. I must say though that there was some nice detailing done on the engine.

Texaholic2000,

My first reply was based on what you were told by the seller. After reading truckernix's reply, I looked at the eBay picture. It looks like you have a full-pressure 235 (1954-1962 from a car/truck or 1953 from a Powerglide car). As truckernix said, the valve cover with 4 side-edge screws is on the newer 235's head.

Thus you might be disappointed the engine is '49-'50, as advertised, but you most likely have a higher power, beautiful appearance, high-oil-pressure 235.

Post the casting number (upper right/front of the starter) and the engine ID (pressed into the ledge on the block to the left/rear of where the distributor goes into the block). This will help confirm the year/size of engine.

truckerniz,

Didn't both the 216 and pre-1954 235 truck engines have the same style side (push rod) cover?

Tim

The casting number is sometimes hard to find.

I must have a '53 FP 235 from a car with PG. I found the casting date (B33 or Feb. 3, '53) above the starter and an LAQ prefix stamped by the distributor. I didn't find the casting number (3701481) until I pulled the engine. It was just in front of the fuel pump underneath a little ridge. I don't think I could have seen it while the engine was in the truck even if the block was clean.

Would an engine cast in Feb. '53 be used in a '54 truck?

tclederman,
yes, as far as I know the 216 and the 235 both had the rocker cover with the two hold down nuts on top.

Wally,

Does your 235 have hydraulic or mechanical lifters?

Tim

Tim, It has hydraulics. It also has the 2 bolts through the valve cover although the PO may have used the valve cover from the old '48 216 when he installed the '53 235.

53 PG had the old style valve cover held on by two bolts. It's aslo very easy to put in studs to use the old cover in any 235.

A note on side covers-some years, I think around 1950, the low pressure 235 used a short side cover.