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| | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | Can a side mount 235 be converted to front mount? If so what do I need?
I have my eye on a 58-62 235 from a 3600 truck and I want to exchange it for the 216 in my 37 1/2 ton truck.
Thanks,
Charlie | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I think that all that needs to be done is drill two holes in the bottom edge/lip of the plate on the front of the block (the plate behind the crank/cam gears). The 47-55 truck engine's front motor mount is attached through those two holes. Maybe someone has a picture or a link to a tech tip? ----- http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engine_swap_216.htmuse the plate on your 216 as a drilling template?
Last edited by tclederman; 02/21/2011 1:26 AM. Reason: added Tech Tip link
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 | Most of the later model 235's I've seen have already been drilled for the single front mount. If you're running the bellhousing with the 2 side mounts it'll just be a matter of adding the single front mount.
However, you're going to have to do some scouting to find 2 of 4 of the necessary front mount components: the box and the plate that hold and sandwich the rubber insert. The insert and dust cover are available from most vendors but I could never locate a source for the 1/8" thick base box and upper 1/8" plate.
Also want to add that it is critical to grind down a stock GM front box for adequate clearance as the replacement rubber inserts aren't as thick as the originals and even though it APPEARS you'll have enough you won't when the weight of the engine is added. You WILL have engine vibrations radiating through the frame if the clearance isn't increased and you won't realize it until you have all the sheetmetal installed. I covered some suggestions in my webshots albums. A little extra time getting the front mount clearance correct before the truck is buttoned up will save you HOURS of blind, arm-bending, wrench-throwing labor.
Dave | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | Dave,
Do you have any pictures of the parts I need to be looking for?
Thanks,
Charlie | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 362 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 362 | look in the teck tips under motor mounts. There is a picture of all the pieces. That's how I found what to fab up for my mount for my 235.
Larry
58 gmc 100 with 350 sbc
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | Would the set up from the original front mount 216 that I am taking out work by chance for the new 235?
Charlie | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 | Charlie,
I have a picture from the repair manual of the front mount on page 12 of my Webshots "Tips and Tricks" album. It's extremely important to insure that you have about 1/8" clearance between the top plate and the box WITH WEIGHT on the mount. I clamped the box into a vise to determine that the amount to remove from the box was 1/8".
The single mounts are identical for all the front mount 216/235's. I'd suggest you put a "wanted to buy" ad in the stovebolt classifieds.......fabricating a new mount without having the original would be a shot-in-the-dark."
Dave | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | 1932-54 truck used the same front mount.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 374 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 374 | Looks like you have everything you need. Now carefully mark and drill those holes. I 'marked' the holes for mine (235 that was a side mount) by first referencing the holes on my front mount 216. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 71 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 71 | Charlie,
I made the same modification on the engine I put in my truck. The advice and jigs that are in the Tech Deck are spot on. Good luck...measure twice and cut once!
Cheers,
Carlos | | |
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