The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Changed 216 to 235 on my 53 now what do I do!

Yeah I had to change the 216 to a 235. Problem was that the 235 was a car engine and tranny setup. I had to swap the tranny 3 speed, bell housing to the 235 before I could drop it in. It went well. Now all I have to do is figure out the oil lines and stuff. The 216 had the oil canister and oil lines that doesn't seem to exist on the car 235 engine. Cripe, where does all this stuff go to? Carb hookup is all different, carb cables don't have the stationary clamps. Seems a bit overwhelming right now. Can anyone suggest what can and cannot be done with the oil lines, canister, carb hookups? Front motor mounts didn't work either. Had to put the bolts up from the bottom after I drilled new holes. The bolts were too long to go in from the top as they should have. Nuts are at the top which mean they could work themselves loose after awhile as they are not very long either. Nuts don't even thread all the way on due to the fact that the bolts can only be so long to begin with. Man! One thing after another! Help! Any suggestions on what to do and how to do it would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks all!
Best CJBchevy 53

What year 235 engine?

Presumably you are putting (or, trying to put) that 235 into a 1953 Chevrolet truck?

I put a 1953 car 235 in place of my truck's original 216 with little issue. Like you said the biggest deal was drilling the front motor mounts. I bent up new oil lines to go with the 'manifold hung' oil canister. Also, beware, the vacuum advance on a car is slightly different than a truck (on the car it points more toward the right front tire to avoid the passenger side car motor mount). I say that because I bent up all these nice lines then the vacuum advance went bad. When I replaced it, I had to replumb the fuel line and vacuum advance line to fit the correct truck setup. As tcelderman alluded to, you may have other issues if its a later 235 with the water pump, etc. Others on here can guide you accordingly. Good luck!

Hi to all. I'm new to the forum but, since I'm planning to put a 54 235 into my 42 3/4 ton, I was reading this thread. I've been told this swap should be no problem at all.
Am I correct in my understanding that 235s from after 53 could present some issues with water pump, motor mounts, or other fitment problems? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks and I'm hoping to get to know everyone better.

Tom C
1942 Chevy 3/4 ton
1942 Dodge 1/2 ton
1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

A 54/55-1st truck 235 (and 261) would be no more difficult than a 1953 (or earlier) truck 216/235.

Hey Tim, yes the 235 is a 1953 motor. Yes, it's going into a 53 chevy 3100 truck.

Thanks CJB