The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Blue flame six compatability?

I have a friend that will give me a motor that he says is an original Blue Flame out of a Corvette. I am not sure it is but it has the valve cover and has twin carbs. Anyway.... my question is is it the same block as a 56 truck motor? I'm thinking of dumping the small block and using the six and a modern 5 speed in my 56 sub.

Thanks......................................Larry

:confused: :p
It may not be the exact same engine, but close. A 56 truck could have been equiped with a 261 (special order) and if it was, it would have the same crank as that Corvette engine. Chevrolet used the 261 truck crank in the 235 Corvette. If your truck came with a 235, it wouldn't have that crank in it. It would have the standard 235 crank.
With the 2 X 1 intake, and most likely a split manifold, that would be a sweet set up in your 56 and a pretty good choice for an engine. With it dressed out in it's Corvette garb, you would have something that would have been quite different in 1956, but not impossible! And, for that matter, quite different for today! If it's free, I would take it in a minute!!!

The short answer is yes it is the same block as any other 235.
Boo

Both the '53-54 vette engine and the '56 block are 235s. But the '53-54 full pressure engines were typically shim-style insert mains, the 55-newer engines had better main bearings. The side motor mounts may be different, as well stuff typical to 1st series 235s.

But the complete Vette 235 is very rare if its real. Find somebody that needs one for a '53-54 vette restoration and you can just about name your price.

chip

I was waiting to say what Chip said. There are people looking for engines just like that. I bet there are some Corvette restoration sites where if you mentioned you had one, you would all of a sudden have a whole new set of friends...

Blue flame six also has a different exhaust manifold, but I can't recall exactly what it looks like. The only one I've seen had been split. Get the block casting number and run it on www.inliners.org and see what it says. I really doubt if it is a true blue flame six.

Yeah, I forgot the vettes had special side-draft carbs and intake, and a special vette split exhaust manifold. Supposedly had a different solid-lift cam than was used in sedans. Dont know the head casting #. Rated at a whopping 150 HP. The 53-54 vettes were only available with that special 235 and a cast-iron 'glide trans. In '55 they went to 12 volts and a small 265? V8.

google results:
block code: 3835911
YG . 235 . . 150 . . CarterYH 3x1BC & Powerglide
During the '54 model year a camshaft change was made which increased horsepower from 150hp to 155hp in the Blue Flame Six engine.
The '54 vette weighed in at 2,886lbs.

http://usedcorvettesforsale.com/cat/l_6334.htm

I too doubt that it's a real Corvette 6. They are valuable. Of course if it's free, go for it. I think they only had the 3 side draft 1 bbls, like Chip said.

Even so, I bet the intake and carbs would be worth at least $500

:o :o
When I wrote my message last night I must have been half asleep!
What I meant to write is that the Blue Flame Corvette had the same CAM (not crank - duh) as the truck 261 engine. When Chevrolet began building the 261 engine for trucks, school buses, etc. those 261's shared the cam which was used in the Corvette 235 Blue Flame 6. It was a solid lifter cam.
Bottom line is, if it's free - take it!!!

The motor is sitting in a 58 Delray that was customized a long time ago. It was drug out to the back of the farm at some point a long time ago and just sat. Kids broke out the windows and the tires went down..........

The same old sad story....

Anyway I have made arrangements to have it drug to my shop so I can remove the Six and the Glide and then have a salvage guy pick up the rest. When I get it to my shop I will do some checking. If it is real I will keep it myself, most of the guys restoring those early vettes are super rich, and I am not too sympathetic to their problems. Since it has become politically corect to have several restored cars in your 6 car garage our hobby has gotten a lot more expensive.

Thanks for the input, I think it will make a great Sub motor, original or not.

Thanks.......................................Larry

Who cares about their "problems?" If it is a real Blue Flame, I would take their money without a second thought. Then go find a school bus with a 261, and everyone will be happy, and you'll have some extra cash for your truck.