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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 60 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 60 | Sometime ago someone mentioned that he machined a 235 crankshaft from a later (full pressure) engine to fit a 216 engine. I am not sure if it was mentioned here or in another forum. Does anyone know anything about this modification? I am planning to rebuild the 216 from my Greek truck and I should like to make it as reliable as possible so this should be a good idea. The Greek legislation does not allow any other size engine in vehicles, other than what the original size was, otherwise I should prefer a later 235. Thank you
Jianis
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 | You'll have to have pistons made to suit. The 216's lower deck makes the 216 piston too tall with the new stroke. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 | I believe, certain year 235's can be disguised to look just like a 216. There have been post's on this topic.
Good luck
John
~ J Lucas 2006 GMC Envoy 4.2 I6 2023 Ram 2500/Cumins 6.7 I6 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Wife’s) 2002 Silverado 2500 Gas 6.0 1941 Chevy 1/2-Ton 1942 Chevy 1.5-Ton SWBIn the Gallery My Flicker Photos! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | 1941-49 235s look just like 216s from the outside. They are 1/8" taller.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 164 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 164 | the early 235's 42-53 look exactly like 216's. the WWII chevy army trucks used a 235 and after the war several europian countries used them so try contacting military surplus/ colectors, etc. and you should be able to find a 235. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | I should add, 1941-49 235s are still splash engines, not that I have anything against the splash system.
It was not the splash system that killed these engines, but the fact that all splash engines used cast iron pistons. This puts extreme load on the rods at today's speed limits.
If aluminum pistons are used during the rebuild these are very reliable engines.
If you use a 1941-49 235, everything but the block, crank and cam can be used from your 216.
garandboy is not quite correct in his post. only 1941-49 235s had a full side cover like the 216. These 235s can be found in most 1 1/2 and 2 ton Chev trucks.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 164 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 164 | I stand corrected, still learning  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 60 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 60 | Panic Lucas Garand and Dave
Thank you for all the ideas. Unfortunately the Greek ministry of transport has a mean system to prevent that people are tempering with stolen car engines. They either require a bill from a garage installing your engine mentioning the size engine number age and manufacturer etc.That will set you back some $ 2000 for work and taxes... Another solution is getting an engine from an official dealer with a bill mentioning all the above. Finally after the engine is installed it has to be checked and they make a trace of the engine Number with pencil on a piece of paper that goes in your cars file. I know all this as I had to install a re manufactured engine engine in my 68 Volvo a few years ago.
Dave
I am planing to use aluminum pistons as they are lighter so they have lower inertia but will it really make all that difference? By the way if I ever get the time I should like to travel around the USA with my Dutch Fleetmaster.
Jianis
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | Are you wanting to make your 216 pressurized? Or are you looking for the extra cubic inches? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 | will it really make all that difference? Yes. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 60 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 60 | Don Stocker
The idea is to make the 216 pressurized.
Jianis | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I have seen posts about some shops doing machining to make a later 235 crankshaft fit. Is it possible for a shop to cross drill an old 216 crankshaft? | | |
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