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| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 41 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 41 | Hey everyone, I just bought my first pickup this past summer and plan on rebuilding it with the help of my dad and probably a lot of beer.
I'm probably a heretic in these forums for saying this, but I'm considering a swap of my 216 to a Chevy SB for two reasons. Parts are much easier to find for a small block and there's no cheaper bang for my buck. But, I would love to pump up a 235 in my truck, I just can't seem to locate parts for the motor.
Does anyone have any tips on the matter? I'm looking to put 350-400 HP into the truck and I can't afford to have custom machine work done on everything if I stick get a 235. But if there are reasonably affordable parts, I'd be very interested in the Stovebolt.
I have catalogs from The Truck Shop in Orange and a few others that I can't recall. Most of them don't sell major components like heads and intake manifolds, much less performance parts.
Also, any other tips on the start of my project would be much appreciated. I posted all about my truck and my plans for it, but my internet crapped out before I hit 'submit'. I'll link to it in a comment here, once I finish typing another one.
- Daniel | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,217 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,217 | Hey Daniel, welcome to the site. I know what you mean about keeping the stovebolt six but finding that a SBC is much cheaper and easier to work with. You're not a heretic, each does what one wants to do.
Sorry I cannot help you in you're quest for parts, I'm a long ways away. Good luck.
Leo | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | Welcome to the 'bolt Daniel! The Links link GMONIZ pointed you to is an excellent resource.
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| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | SEMPERFink, Welcome to the sight. EGGE in Calif. might be a good source for engine parts for you. www.egge.comAs stated there are other suppliers for V8 conversions. Also check out the HiPo forum here.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 | Another place to look for power info on the 235 is inliners.com (6=8 is their motto). From what I've read, getting 200hp out of the 235 isn't too difficult (bore, balance, stroke, port, hei, carb), but I think you'd be getting a little exotic to go higher than that. If you want 300 or more, the sbc is probably the easiest (hence the most common) way to go.
Have fun and do what you want. It's your truck. A few here may judge (but just a little), but ALL will help.
Current fleet (subject to change w/o notice) \'49 GMC 3/4-Ton , 60 Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite (some assembly required), 2011 Dodge Avenger, 2015 Jeep Cherokee. No, they don't all run. My other ride is a (B737)no, (B767)no, A320.... Update... was Embraer E190, now Boeing B787. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but ignorance means you don't know you can't do something.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | From what I have read in various magazines, you can buy a crate small block for much less than it would cost to build one up. If you really want the big hp numbers, you need to go with a V8.
Good luck with your project. They can be a lot of fun to work on. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 18 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 18 | You might also want to look for a "donor" vehicle for parts for your truck. I have a 1955 series 1 into which I am putting a SBC. I watched the ads, went online, etc., but always felt that I could do better cost-wise. After not too long, I found a 1967 Chevy Biscayne. It had a 327 with "double hump" heads. The whole car cost $500 and I would have been happy with that price just to get the engine. It also, however, had a Muncie 4 speed. The engine, transmission, carb and rear end from the Biscayne are now in my truck. The drive shaft will have to be modified but it will go in the truck as well and I'm hoping that the steering column will work too. I did rebuild the engine but overall, it was a very good deal for $500!
Be patient - if you miss one deal another will turn up... | | |
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