The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 head on a 235?

Alright, this may be a little far-fetched but I figured I'd ask anyways... would a head off of a 216 (off of a ~'47 engine) fit on a 235 (~'55 engine)? I haven't done any research on it yet, but I wanted to find out. The reason I ask is because last summer the '55 3200 I bought was smoking quite a bit. It stopped for awhile, then started smoking some more after moving a bit of dirt around the yard (it's not on the road yet). I've been told that it could be my rings, or it could be the valve seals (could it also be the head gasket?). It is a blue smoke and used to go away after running for awhile, but now has a tendency to stay. The truck is sitting for the winter now, but I'm trying to get ready to work on it as soon as the snow melts. If it was the valves/seals I do have a decent head off of a 216 that I was thinking of putting on just for the time being. Any thoughts? And if a 216 head won't fit, anyone want to buy it? I haven't been around the forum for awhile because school has been keeping me busy, but I'm looking forward to spending more time here and out with my projects! Thanks again.

Check out the bolt pattern in the Tech Tips on the Inliners site (Inline Head Torque).

It looks to me that the heads are not interchangeable.

Tim

I dont think a 216 head will fit a 235 cause the 216 had a big cover on the side that came up on the head,the intake and exhaust ports are smaller and I think the valvetrain is different and the 55-62 blocks are different from the 54 on back.

valve seals cost about 98c

Thanks for all of the info! How would I go about replacing the valve seals?

Changing the valve seals isn't too hard.(depends on your level of experience though). And, it can be done without pulling the head off of the motor. If you don't have one, get a factory manual for your truck (this will show you how evrything goes together). Most auto parts stores sell spring compressors for $20.00 - $30.00 you might even be able to rent one at some places. Don't forget to pressurize each cyl. with air. BEFORE you take the spring keeper off or you'll get to pull the head anyway! Your local parts place should also have the little dodad fitting to go into the spark plug hole. (cant' remember it's scientific name) so you can pressurize it with air.

B.T.W. 216 & (55+) 235 's have very few interchangable parts......air cleaners, bellhousings, flywheels, timing covers, not cyl. heads.

You'll need lots of air pressure to keep the valves closed , better to get some cheapo cotton rope and put the cylinder to BDC , feed a long bit of rope in through the spark plug hole and then turn the engine untill it squishes against the valves , remove springs & install umbrella guide seals , replace spring . turn engine , remove rope and go to the next cylinder .

Sometimes the old ways are best (and easiest) .

Water holes, valve train and rocker arm oiling won't line up between the 216 & 235. Replace valve seals first that's the cheapest fix-it. Anything else will be very expensive.