The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Will this 235 work?

I have a 51 Chevy Fleetline with the original 235, 3 on the tree. Will a 1958-62 235 bolt in directly? Any problems connecting to everything properly?

I can't see why it would not. 216's used the same bellhousings and trannys and the later model 235's can replace them so why wouldn't they replace early 235's?

The bellcrank for the carb linkage is posisition a little different. Also the water pump on the latter 235 will be to low and to long. Do a search on the water pump and linkage and you'll find a wealth of information.

I ran the numbers on the 51 Chevy, it is a 235. it is a 50-52 casting number.

1950-1952 automobiles with a Powerglide transmission came with the low-pressure 235 engine (with hydraulic lifters).

Maybe the 3-speed could be ordered with an optional 235?

I think the 51 passenger had an odd 'side' motor mount set up, check the other motor to see if it has the same cast in bosses. Or I think you can use the center foreward older style mount by welding a plate to the crossmember. Also that later style 235 has a low water pump which will have to be modified to fit.

As I recall, the 52-54 passenger cars had the side mounts. The 51 still used the front plate to crossmember. Some previous owner may have replaced the original 216 in weltertm's 51 with a 235 (or replaced the Powerglide with a manual?) I do not recall ever seeing an original 235 with a manual prior to 1953. It is somewhat of a moot point, as wetertm has what he has.

Here is a link to the Chevrolet master parts catalog showing the various front and side mounts. As I recall from my 1951 Chevy, it used two separate front mounts, not the single center assembly. I just looked at the front plates on a 1960 261 and on a 1954 261. The plate on the 54 261 has the holes (and a "doubler" plate) for outboard mounts, but the 1960 plate does not. It is not obviously apparent that the 1960 plate has enough metal to accept the 1951 passenger car mounts. You may need to adapt to the center forward mount, as suggested by JiMerit. I installed a 1954 261 in my 1951 back in 1959, but I have never directly participated in swapping in a 55-62 block. You might want to try the Inliners' site, as they are more into cars.

Hoyt