Hello everyone i am stuck trying to decide what to do with my trucks engine. i have a 1962 chevy c10 with a 235 in it. I want to restore the engine but i also want a little more power. my friends seem to think that the only thing to do would be to just get rid of it and go with a 350 but i really want to keep the 235. I will leave this thread open to anyone's opinions because i really don't know what to do and i just want to see if anyone can help me decide. thanks -Andrew
You could go with a 261 for a little more power, it's the same family as the 235 and would look the same to an untrained eye. You could also go with a later inline six like a 250 or 292.
It really depends on how u want to use the truck. If it's gonna be a Sun. driver just to a car show or out to dinner, the 235 has a good reputation. It's easy to work on and parts seem to be still readily available. On the other hand, if u really want a head turner or something fun (I'm askin' for it here!!) to drive, ya gotta go V-8 350. Just my opinion. Of course money is REALLY DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE TWO, but hey, it's only money!! So look at what it's going to be used for and how much do u what to spend. That really is the bottom line, at least for me.
Last edited by Panhead59; 09/04/20119:45 PM. Reason: spelling
Excuse me but my 248 is exciting and fun to drive. But you are right about 350s being head turners. When I see another car or truck with a 350 at a show, I turn my head and walk away.
Tognog, there are several ways to give your 235 more power and to dress it up, to boot. Go for it.
"It's just a phase. He'll grow out of it." Mama, 1964
But you are right about 350s being head turners. When I see another car or truck with a 350 at a show, I turn my head and walk away.
Thats funny right there!
"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just leave me alone, you're starting to freak me out."
. . . Of course money is REALLY DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE TWO, but hey, it's only money!! So look at what it's going to be used for and how much do u what to spend. That really is the bottom line, at least for me.
It's hard for me to guess: which costs the less money, and which would you buy based on the cost?
What would a long block "crate" 350 cost (before dressing it up)?
What do you think a Jasper rebuilt long-block 235 or 261 would cost (before dressing it up)?
First, I say buy what suits your tastes.
But, I am with Cletis. 350s at a car show are like a nose, everyone has one. (How do you like the way I cleaned up that aphorism?)
I hate when people leave their brains at home. Seriously when did critical thinking and customer service go out the window? How about common sense and striving to go the extra mile? Idiots, surrounded by idiots it tell you.
Hey Cletus, would you "turn your head" if it had a 283 nestled down in it. His truck is a 62 so it'd look nice and original so don't go turning you nose up at that!! In fact, saw my friend at the Sugar n Spice Friday night and he told me to come get one of his (283 complete) but before I stick it in my next AD I want to make sure your OK with it. No more 350's for me. LOL....
How much more power are you looking for? You want to haul a bed full of gold bricks or spin the tires then a six probably isn't the engine for you. Personally I would go with the six because it's tough has decent power and is different.. A 350 has it's place but it's so unimaginative these days.
I'm tearing into my 235 right now and it was pretty much wiped out all around. The only things being reused is the block and head castings, the crank, and the rods. It will end up costing about $2000 in parts and machining to go back close to stock. If your parts are in better shape you could get away with less and you'll have a good runner.
Now if I had a pickup bed full of gold this thread would have a completely different tone...
For once I gotta sit on your side of the fence Charlie, 350 engines are a super cheap way to put a bunch of horses under the hood. But almost every old Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Studebaker you see at the care shows looks the same under the hood. A couple of years ago I saw a ‘32 Ford touring car with one of these in it and that really drew my interest. http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/137813743 And for those of you that think you can’t get performance from a Stovebolt, give this a look:
only so much your going to get out of a 6 everyone knows that. whats more important to you. keeping the 6 or scootin a little faster down the road
How much do you want to get out of one of these old trucks? Easy mods with a high-pressure 235/261 and a 3.55 R&P conversion allows you to cruise all day at 65 mph (with original brakes and high-profile LT radials).
If you want to scoot much faster (in acceleration and/or in top speed), better change a lot more than the engine in the truck. Nothing wrong with this desire and this approach - you just have to decide what you want.
thanks everyone for your MUCH NEEDED reply's. so first off i have been looking at two options: stay with the 235 or go with the 350 (Achipmunk if the 283 is for sale i would like some info on it). looking for a decent condition 292 has been pretty hard and the ones i find will end up costing a lot more than if i stay with the 235 or get a 350. rebuilding a 235 and giving it some nice parts will end up be right around 2,500$ and buying a 350 small block create engine with a decent dress up kit ect. will cost near 3,000$ so theres not much of a difference and it comes to what would be the best fit for what i want. so what i would like to have is a everyday truck. i want to put it away during the rainy seasons but drive it pretty often during the summer. the current 235 has been pretty slow since i bought but if there are several ways to speed it up i would be interested in hearing about them. As for the power issues i would be happy with being able to at least hit 75 without the engine struggling so if any of you guys have. I'm really leaning toward staying with the 235 but if i can't at least get some more power out of it then the 350 is more bang for my buck. Thanks again everyone -Andrew
"If you want to scoot much faster (in acceleration and/or in top speed), better change a lot more than the engine in the truck. Nothing wrong with this desire and this approach - you just have to decide what you want."
It is a common misconception that if you want to go faster you need a bigger engine. A lot more can be accomplished with gears, that's how the nascar guys do it.
1953 Chevrolet 3600 Fried Green T'mater (Vern) In the Stovebolt Gallery Caution: Political Statement Man who runs in front of car gets tired, man who runs behind car gets exhausted.
only so much your going to get out of a 6 everyone knows that. whats more important to you. keeping the 6 or scootin a little faster down the road
You might be shocked at what you can do with an inline 6. I have an Uncle that had a '49 Chevy Business Coupe back in the late '50s with a hopped up 235 (virtually identical to what's in my truck) that would shut down the Feulie 283s and dual car 392 Hemis at the strip, plus it was used as a daily driver on the street. As mentioned, I have a virtually identical setup, dual carbs, Fentons, upgrade igition, .030 milled off the head, I run highway speeds with ease. The one alteration I will definetly suggest, and other will agree with me, is to add an overdrive transmission. The SM318 or later SM326 were both available with the Borg Warner overdrive, and are a direct bolt in. That would be the best choice if you want to keep the column shift. If you want a floor shift, or have the 4 speed, the T5 is a very popular choice. Both have perfect gearing for the 325, ad work very well with the standard 3.90 rear gear used in the 1/2 tons. A taller tire will help, too.
Hello everyone, sorry I haven't replied in a while but I'm a fire fighter in california and my department sent down a engine to fight some fires down south, so I have been stuck at the station covering. I will look into to overdrive transmission. The question I have now is what does the duel carb do in terms of power. I have a couple of work buddies that say it would be a lot of work for not much gain and it would take some tinkering. Those who have them what are your opinions and how hard was it to sincronize and did you see a difference in power, sound, or fuel eco?
