The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 dilemma

Ok, so I found a running 235 finally. I made an offer and it was accepted and now want to order a offy or fenton intake. But both offy and fentons say they are good for 1955 to 1962. What changed in '63? Am I stuck with the stock intake? Any help on what might have changed from '62 to '63 and advice on what I can use??

Its the original motor in a 1963 halfton pickup according to the owner and he knows his stovebolts. I havent pulled numbers in it. Were can I run the numbers if I did have them?

i thought 62 was the last year that chevy used the 235 in the 1/2 ton trucks?? but if it is a 235 it will be the same set up as a 62 in regards to the intake and exhaust manifold. you will have to do a little grinding to make them fit. lots of info in the search section.

1963 will be a 230. (unless it is four wheel drive) Completly different engine.

Pre'68 Dave it right.
Turns out the owner doesn't know his stovebolts as well as you/he thought.

Per some old articles there were some 63 235s. Where is the distributor, in the center or closer to the front?????

Hum...
62' was the last year for the 235. Full oiler, 848 head.
Check with Inliners.com for sure. Run your casting number from there site. That will zero it in.
Just finished the extremely lot of grinding on the Fentons. Not at all happy with the quality. Wish now I would have gone with another brand name.
And you'll have to grind clearance into your undersides of your Offys as well. Check with your supplier is they have replaced the zinc plugs and rewelded with aluminum.
Then if you put smaller bore carbs on top with flange hole spacing that is less, you'll have to have those holes heliarced (sp) milled flat and re-taped for what you have. $$$

I've always heard that 62 was the last year for a 235. I also heard that the 261 was available in 63 on 4wds and burbs. But everything I've heard hasn't been true. Looking forward to finding out what it is.

'62 was the last year for 235 in the North American market, they were used up to the mid '70s in the South American market in vehicles manufanctured by GM do Brazil. They were also used by Toyota in the early Land Cruisers. To my knowlege, they stopped the 261 at the same time. I can't say for sure on 4x4's, but my shop teacher had a '61 3/4 ton with a 261 that was factory installed, so it may be possible.

Patrick sells both the 216 and 235 Offy intakes. If you want to use 216 carbs you should get the 216 intake and machine the ports for 235 alignment rings. If your truck is planned for a driver I believe this is the best way to go anyway so you'll have more vacuum for decent low RPM operation.

I got fooled on ebay and ended up with a pair of repro Fentons and am astounded with their truly wonderful quality. Very heavy-duty and very good casting quality as well. I thought Patrick had an exclusive license to make them. Is there a backyard casting operation going on somewhere?

the set I got from patrick looked pretty well made too. Still haven't got them on my jimmy yet!

ok, so it has six bolts holding down the valve cover and the distributor is almost at the front of the motor? I couldn't pull the numbers on the block. so does anybody know what it is based on that info???

NOT 235

It can be a 194, 230, 250, or 292

I don't know these later engines but the head casting number would be easy to see and might provide a clue if you run the numbers.

Again, pre68'Dave is right.
No need to look up numbers unless you care what it is, cause it sure ain't a 235.

Is it worth using since its not a 235? Can I get aftermarket parts for the other motors mentioned?

I think LMC Truck sells stuff for 230's

What do you plan on putting this engine in?

The later sixes are not an easy replacement for the 216 or 235.

The later engine is actually a better engine to start with if you are wanting to modify it for better performance. Lots of performance parts are available for them and the head breaths much better than the old 235/261. I like them both and run them both but if you already have the late model engine I would certainly stay with it.

I am not looking for performance really. I just wanna run a straight six that I can put a two or three carb setup and a split header on.

brian - you might want to consider splitting the existing ehaust manifold to create your duel exhaust unless you are in to being a "purest". they sound about the same and most, notice i did say most, people cannot tell a big difference in perfomance on a daily driver - back and forth to work etc. with good welding skills you can do your own or kansas customs appears to be doing a real good job in this area. i have been told that the offy intake will bolt up to the original with less "grinding" and you do not have to come up with an additional heat source for the dual carb system. split manifolds are cheaper than fentons but then again it all comes down to what you want to do with your truck and how you are going to use it.

I guess I need to clarify. I want this to be a daily driver. I am not married to split headers I just want the old school rat rod straight six sound. This truck is being built as a rat rod with as few modern upgrades as possible.