The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Which engine to use

I have a 40 Chev 1/2t. Currently it has the stock 216. I plan on putting a 235 in it. I have a 1955-235 that "supposedly" was rebuilt in the past. (maybe the distant past) and a 1959-235 out of a car. I heard the 59 run. It sounded ok, but smoked. It has the side engine mounts and a key starter along with the bellhousing. Is either one of these a better choice to use? Can I use the newer starter on the 55 and not use the floor starter? I assume the 59 will still bolt up in the front like the 216, but I would have to use the 216 bellhousing? I currently have an S10 5spd hooked up to the 216. thanks.

Either of these would work fine and are just about the same. You can use the 216 flywheel,bellhousing,clutch etc on back of the 235s.You won't need the side motor mount, just mount it with the old 216 plate on front, bellhousing has rear mounts. I like the old foot starter, will never fail as a solonoid starter will, but which every you like. If you keep the 216 bellhousing be carefull with later 235 flywheels as they may not fit. You don't have to keep the 216 bellhousing however the later bellhousing may not have the truck style mounts on the side.

Compare the length of the motors. You may find the '55 motor is a little shorter and has a different water pump arrangement. The shorter motor will fit better in your early frame.

'54 and '55 1st truck motors are both short like the earlier motors, and full pressure oil, making them the easiest swap option with all the good stuff.

I believe you can swap all the shorter parts to the later motor, but you'll want to have that in mind as you go.

Thanks, guys. I don't know if the 55 is passenger or truck. I read that for 37-40 I needed a 41-54 wide-tooth #139 flywheel. I found one a while ago with the correct tooth count. The 55 was stripped of intake, exhaust when I got it. The 59 will help out there. I have thought of putting the 55 in as is, because I was told it was rebuilt once. But I have been burned on that story before. I might build a stand to get it running and check compresson, etc. I guess I could take the pan and head off to see what things look like also.

You can bet that most 216/235/261 engines were rebuilt at least once (they were often "rebuilt" every 50K miles). As stated above, if the 55 is a 55-1st truck engine, that is the better fit (look at the engine serial number that is pressed into the block, just to the rear of when the distributor goes into the block).

If you have to rebuild an engine, go with the '59 (better head and rocker-arm lubrication set-up).

Tim

I just looked at the serial number on the 55 engine. It is 0538460F255X with a small "B" at the end. According to what I have found, this means it is from a 3800 series truck 235 Thriftmaster? Is this a good engine to have? Or does it matter?

Thanks,

255XB is a 1955 second series code (regular production 3800 engine). That engine most likely has a water pump that is mounted lower than is appropriate for earlier trucks.

"Is this a good engine?" There is nothing wrong about this engine.

Search on +pump +plate
for information on about the water pump relocation plate.

Tim

Thanks for the information. You have been very helpful.

Roy

If you wana get crazy you could research putting the oil pump system from the 235 into your 216 . I hear many people do this to keep an origional look but make their trucks more reliable.