Stovebolt.com Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 216 Chevy taken out to 235 difference

Right off the bat your first problem is that the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the truck.

But seriously Michael, there is no simple way to make a 216 into a 235. Off the top of my head, I do not know the bore (diameter of cylinder where the piston travels) and stroke (the distance of up and down travel of the piston) of either engine, but the only way to effect cubic inch displacement "CID" (i.e. 216CID to 235 CID) is to increase the bore by machining the block or increase the stroke by changing the crankshaft. If the stroke length is the only difference then maybe a crankshaft swap may work but I do not believe they are interchanagable in these engines. Maybe an old babbit bearing 235, but not a more modern, (after '53) 235. And in my opinion it would not be worth it to attempt to upgrade to a babbit engine 235 even if you could find a crankshaft. You need to be instead looking for a 54 or newer 235 or 261 to swap into this truck if you are looking for more horsepower with an engine similar to the original.

The biggest problem you will have regarding going faster is the gearing in this truck. The easiest fix for this is changing the rear differential or swapping in a overdrive transmission or overdrive unit between the transmission and rearend. But as others have pointed out, you will want to upgrade the braking system if you are driving at modern highway speeds, especially if you have a load in the truck.

Finally, but should be first thought, do you want to restore this truck or upgrade it? If you want to restore it recognize you are dealing with 70 year old technology that will not perform to modern standards. If you upgrade it you will lose orignality. Its your truck and you should do what you want but I will say that that truck looks very original and in great shape for its age. It may even have its original engine in it which is extremely rare. If you want to do significant upgrades, you may consider finding a different truck to do so with and save this truck for a correct restoration.
Just my $.02, good luck,
Steve

The 216 engine has a bore (piston) size of 3 1/2 inches, and a crankshaft stroke of 3 3/4 inches. The 235 has a bigger bore (3 9/16") and a stroke of 3 15/16". It might be possible to install the 235 crankshaft in a 216 block, and bore the cylinders out .0625" to fit the 235 pistons, but it would be simpler to locate a 1940-53 235 engine from a medium-duty truck and swap it out. Better still, find a 1954-62 235 engine with the full-pressure oiling system, and upgrade to a more reliable engine with more available repair parts. While there's nothing terribly wrong with running the splash-oil engine, reconditioned connecting rods with the proper undersize babbit bearings integral with the rod are getting a little hard to find.
Jerry

Thankyou guys, awesome advice, with a limit to my budget, I think I will pull down the current engine and go through and put new engine seals, crankshaft bearings and piston rings.

I want to make it reliable as it can be, any advice on anything else I should do when I have the engine out ?

I will cope with the lower highway speed it's only 2-3 trips a week, cars will have to just pass me - in awe I hope.

It is the original engine, most things on it are original, so if I keep it that way it also save money on the brake upgrade and I will reco the drums. I have a post about transmission, and power steering, air con (very hot here) but will search before posting.

I'd like to thank everyone as you helped me make the correct decision, now just to make it LHD ha ha.

That is a really cool looking truck and the video is awesome! I think you have a great project on your hands.

Hello Michael,

That old truck is awesome, and will be great for advertising your business.

Welcome to the "Bolt"

John