The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Purchased a 235 to replace my 216.

I just bought this 235 engine out of a 1958 Chevrolet biscayne passenger car. I've been looking for a good engine to replace my old worn out 216 in my 1952 Chevrolet Pickup. The owner of the Biscayne said the car had 80k original miles and the engine is original and never been touched or messed with. Judging by the amount of muck that's on the motor it's probably more like 180k but I got to listen to it and drive it before it was pulled. It had lifter noise but seemed solid and was only 200 dollars. It came with a 3 speed tranny that I don't need. When I got it home I noticed the engine is blue after cleaning the valve cover and the back of the head. I'm pretty sure it's a Blue Flame 235. From what I understand the name was only for advertising purposes for the new and improved 235 over the 216. I believe the engine being a 58 has hydraulic lifters, insert bearings and pressurized oil lubrication. Here are some questions I have...

Is there anything else significant about the 1958 235 that's better then the 216 thrift master?

I don't have a pressure washer or steamer and the motor is hanging on a cherry picker. What is the best way to clean it up without making a huge mess on the ground in doors?

Would I drill holes in the front of the 235 to mount to my pickup? I noticed it has side mounts and no holes in the front to bolt too.

Thanks for the help! This is my first big project and any tips would be great! A couple pictures are below for viewing...


http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q96/picture_wch/4.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q96/picture_wch/2.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q96/picture_wch/195420Chevrolet-14.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q96/picture_wch/30.jpg

I think you will be pleased with the 235 engine.
You can drill the 235 front plate or put your 216 front plate on it.

Nice truck !!!

Good Luck,Tim

That 235 (145hp) will produce about 50% more power compared to your 216 (92hp).

Yes, it has hydraulic lifters, insert rod and main bearings, and the higher-pressure oil lubrication system (compared to the 216).

The 235 is longer so you will have to shorten the water pump to clear the rad.

You can also get an adapter plate for the water pump that will relocate it to sit in the middle of the radiator. You can then use the old water pump as it has a shorter shaft. You can shorten, or buy a short shaft water pump for the 235 so that it clears the radiator, but it won't sit in the center of the radiator.
Samantha

The full pressure 235 is a great engine.

As far as cleaning goes, you might think about laying down a couple of layers of plastic, and then get a big tub you can put under the engine to catch the gunk. Scrape off what muck you can with a putty knife.

Buy a few cans of heavy duty oven cleaner and spray the engine down. Follow the directions.

Then spray the engine down with a good heavy duty degreaser. Let it sit for a while, and then spray it down with a squirt bottle full of water. Repeat, wipe, scrap and clean. Finish up with something like a brake cleaner. Wear goggles. Keep up with your ventilation and think about wearing a respirator.

I have cleaned a couple of tractors this way in my garage. You will probably lose some or all of the paint on your engine in this process.

Good luck, send pictures! Can't wait to hear how she runs with the new engine.


Kurt

Kurt,

Thank you so much for your detailed advice on cleaning my engine. That sounds like a great plan! I uploaded this video of the 58' 235 running in the car before it was pulled out for you to view! Keep in mind it was at night and all I had on me was a flash light and my iPhone. It's un-edited and the phone exaggerates the lifter noise.

Here is a YouTube link to the video. Let me know what you think. Thanks everyone for your replies thus far.

even better on the cleaning , grab your self a bottle of the "superclean" from your local parts house or wally world, itll clean up fast , less toxins and is biodegradable / eco safe when your done just let the heavy grease etc settle out, plus it will leave the paint intact,

Hey, your welcome.

I love the video. Reminds me of all the fun midnight mechanicing I did as a teenager back in the 60's.

Sure did sound noisy. Pre '68 Dave gave me some good advice about a fix to noisy lifters involving scoring the pushrod where it sits on the lifter. Lets the trapped air out. You might ask him about it.

Kurt

The blocks are the same length,the water pumps are different in length.Follow the advice on the adapter plate and use the appropriate water pump(belt width)there is a lot of information on the subject,do a search.I have a 1956 235 passenger car engine with hydraulic lifters in my suburban.Here is a link to my water pump adapter plate installation. water pump adapter plate conversion


Tim