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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | Is there a difference between the 216 and the 235 distributor?
Thanks
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,417 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,417 |
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | The short answer is yes. If you look in the parts books just up through 1954 you'll find about 8 different part numbers. I think the differences mainly in the advance curves and vacuum advance mechanisms and many of these will interchange.
But, there is a major difference between the '54 powerglide cars and all later 235's compared with the earlier 216's and that is the composition of the drive gear. The later engines use a cast-iron alloy gear while all the 216's used a forged steel gear. You can use any of the later gears on an earlier engine but the forged gear from an earlier engine will eat the cam gear on the later engines.
This is easy to fix though by just changing the distributor gear to match the cam. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | Thanks. I have a good 216 distributor and hope to get a rebuilt a 235
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | 1953-62 235 distributors use a taller cap and rotor than a 1937-53 216 or 1941-52 235.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | Can I use the distributor and use the taller cap and rotor for a 58-62 235?
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | The 216 style shaft is to short to correctly hold the rotor.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | So. What is the difference between the rotors and caps?
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | Will the 47-52 distributor work like the 53-62 distributor on a 235? If not, I think I have a 53-62 distributor. But it is nasty and needs a good clean job. Or just change out the shaft?
TIA
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
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