The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 POWER QUESTIONS

My uncle left me a 55 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. It is a field truck without an engine or transmission. I'm thinking about putting a hopped up 235 in the truck. I love the look of the inline sixes, and I don't want to have the same SBC that everyone else has at car shows. An added benefit is that I already have a 235 that I can use. The truck will be used as a cruiser, not a hauler. I would like to be able to run power steering, A/C, and possibly a TH350 transmission. Will a 235 have sufficient power to run the options that I would like to have and still keep up with traffic on an interstate, or would I be better off running a 250, 292, or 302?

The 235 was actually the first engine used in the original corvette. Obviously it weighed a lot less, but I like to think it has some power.

I plan on using mine as a cruiser as well and from everything I've read, you should be fine. In the bel-airs, some guys claim to get up to 90 mph on the highway, at least on forums I've read. With a truck, I'd guess you could push 60 after all those mods.

So while you won't get the best acceleration or top speed, you should be fine for running on the highway. At least I hope so, because that's my plan!

A 292 would match up better to a th350. Any of the above engines would work. The 250 and 292 would likely be easier to run a compressor and power steering pump on. It is possible to run them on a 235 or 302, but it would take a little more figuring. I know there is a generator option with a power steering pump attached to the back in tandem. Those pumps tend to be pricey, and most people prefer the reliability of an alternator to the generator anyway.

Power steering pump and A/C compressor bracketry for 235/261 engines is available from Buffalo Enterprises. Also he has a 2 groove harmonic balancer available.

regards,
Leon

I would say the biggest drawback is the pricey transmission adapter needed to run a TH350.
A 230,250,292 would be much easier and cheaper.

Why not use a PowerGlide as originally used and save the cost of the adaptor. The PS/Generator setup was original to cars of that era and that would not only get you what you want but would keep it original as well. I'm not sure if PS was offered on the pickups or not. Frankly I doubt it but the parts would still work on your engine.

A Hydramatic was also used in that time frame for pickups. You don't say if your truck is a first or second series 55. The second series would make more sense perhaps.

I appreciate all of the responses. The truck is a 2nd series.

The 'Glide was never used in the Task Force trucks, only the Hydramatic. Power steering was an option, using the generator mounted pump and hydraulic cylinder on the axle. It is available reproduction, but is very pricey ($700 last time I checked for just the controls, hoses, and cylinder, no pump).

Thanks Longbox., I always wondered about that. The poster did not say whether it was an AD or TF design however so I didn't know. Regardless it doesn't change my point that everything will work fine on the 235 w/o standing on your head and buying a bunch of expensive parts. The PS parts are available without buying new repo parts too so it doesn't require a ton of money.

It's a 55 2nd series TF design.