The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine Question

I have been offered a free engine from a guy at work, engine spins freely all is ok, would need to be rebuilt, he's pretty sure its a 235, but my question is it came out of a 57 Chevy Sedan. Is this the same 235 they would put in the trucks? I don't see why it wouldn't be but I wanted to some other thoughts on it.

Birge :p

I think there were two different versions of the 235 but I think that was before 57. Take it the price is right, and good luck.

The only major difference was that the car engine ran a hydraulic cam and hydraulic lifters, while the truck engines ran solid lifters.

If you want to find out a little more about the 57 engine this site has plenty of info:

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/department35.cfm

Hope this helps.

Dave

Hmm, is there advantage or disadvantage of hydraulic lifters as compared to Solid?

Birge - I've installed a 1957 235 out of car (it had hydraulic lifters and also had a Powerglide tranny attached when I bought it). My engine remanufacturer told me that there was no good source of reliable replacement hydraulic lifters, but that he did have a vendor in Canada who was good at refurbishing the existing lifters. The long and short of it is that the lifters were in suitable condition for refurbishment and the engine is now in the truck.

Don

Hmmmm Ok Thanks. I wonder why these are hard to come by, I will do a check on parts. But the price is right on this free engine. Not hard to rebuild. So I may as well try it, or see what condition its in and slap in the truck as is while I rebuild the 235 in the truck this winter. We'll see.

THanks

I'm not sure but I think the car engine has auto choke on the Rochester carb and the truck carbs are manual choke.

That would be a good engine in a truck for a several reasons.It's full pressure oiling,it would have the higher HP number, especially if it came from a powerglide vehicle in 57 and it would likely have the higher compression 848 cylinder head. For your 52 you will need to drill 2 mounting holes in the front engine plate(it's not that hard) or replace the plate with an earlier version. And it's free ?!!! Take it even if you don't use it. Someone down the road will want it sooner or later.

Birge,

I have seen conflicting information regarding comparison of 1957 235 engines in cars and trucks.

Some references show the same horsepower, same head codes, and of course the same oil lubrication system. There is no question that the 1957 235 is more powerful than 1955 and earlier 235s (and a very large improvement in performance in comparison to a pre-54 216/235).

Some references show the only significant mechanical difference is the lifters (I'll bet that truck 235s used automatic choke carburetors in trucks with automatic transmissions in 1957 - that carb should work OK in your truck).

The front motor mount would need to be adapted (as described by DrewP). Also, the water pump would have to be adapted or replaced with a water pump that will work in an earlier truck (without the fan hitting the radiator).

Other minor differences between car and truck 235s might be vacuum and mechanical advance values (no big deal), and the angles that tubes attach to the fuel pump and the vacuum advance.

Different people see different advantages and disadvantages between hydraulic and mechanical lifters. Hydraulic lifters are available.

Tim

Larry, you are correct. The engine did have an auto choke Rochester B installed. I have replaced it with a reman B from Discount Auto, but plan on installing my newly acquired NOS Carter FY 2100s soon.

Don

Well guys Thanks, I think I will go ahead and pick this engine up, It will be easy enough to fix the front end of the engine with new or old parts. I will try to get it this weekend, also snap some pictures and maybe get the numbers so I can fully decode it. From what the old man gathers it has the powerglide attached to it. Not that I want it for my truck but hey I 'll bet someone wants it sompelace.

Thanks Guys
As always everyone is a welath of knowledge.

Birge

If it is powerglide it has hydraulic lifters. If it is a manual trans it has solid lifters.

Well let me propose this question then, is it not a good idea to run hydraulic lifters on a 4 speed granny?

Birge

Don't bet on it.

I don't think granny will know the difference.

Don

I wondered about that, I mean I always thought solid lifters were for high po or higher RPM applications, where as hydraulkic lifters were not I didn't know that the tranny cared either way.

But I am only a a novice
Birge

Birge,

I just did the swap you are describing. I've installed a 235 out of a '56 Bel Air into my '50 3100. The 235 originally had a Powerglide. Had a guy do the basic engine work for me and I dressed it out. The swap went much easier than I thought. Original carb had autochoke. I installed a manual carb to keep it original. My exhaust system bolted right up, no problems. All the linkage went on without a hitch. The front motor mount holes were there so no drilling. I was expecting some issues based on what I had read but easy change. And this is my first restoration.

Definitely take the 235. A bit pricy to rebuild but I had to look for a couple of months to find my 235.

It's free so what you got to lose? I'd pick it up and bring it home.

I think that all 1956-1962 passenger car 235 engines had hydraulic lifters (regardless of transmission). Someone with a 1956-1962 passenger car Shop Manual might be able to provide information (if anyone is interested).