The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Hydraulic or Solid Lifters?

I plan to rebuild a 235 from a '54 Chevy pickup to replace my stock 216 in my '52 3100. My understanding is that the 235 would have had solid lifters and possible isn't drilled for hydraulic lifters? Does this sound correct for a '54 235? If so, would I be better to find a later 235 that is drilled for hydraulic lifters? What's the pros/cons of hydraulic vs. solids?

It is true that a truck engine before 1958 would not be drilled to supply oil for hydraulic lifters.
I personally prefer hydraulic lifters but there is nothing wrong with solids if you are comfortable with adjusting them.
If you decide to go with hydraulic lifters I would suggest you read my blog about these lifters.

Where did you go Tim?

I thought I was off base, Dave

Here it is:

Tate,

Post the engine serial number (pressed into the block to the rear of where the distributor goes into the block). You can usually tell from that code the year and if the engine came in a car or in a truck (1954's code year and model).

In 1954, only the 235 Powerglide-equipped car engine had hydraulic lifters.

That's better!

Gee not at all how I figured you'd fellows would answer....
I figured you'd all be for solids over hydraulic lifters. My engine has hydraulic lifters, thought it was a truck motor, but maybe its a car motor instead....

John

John, trucks did not come with hydraulic lifters but they could have been added at some time, that is if you have a 1958 or later engine.
I am sure we will here from plenty of bolters that prefer solids. Most of them have heard that hydraulic lifters are problematic. That is only true if they are not installed correctly.

Hydraulic lifters do offer some advantages.
1.They stay adjusted for a long time.
2.They are quiet.
3. There is in practical terms a bit softer transition on the cam.
4. Possible, less wear on the rocker arm.
Mechanical lifters will follow the cam profile as well as the valve spring pressure allows. However, I don't run an aggressive cam profile, I have an inline six. It does have mechanical lifters...So why? 'Cause that is what it came with. That is why. The issue is an esoteric one for most of us. If I needed to replace the cam and my engine was newer, I would consider the change when I put in the new cam. My 235 is an earlier version, 55-57 so I would just buy a cam and matching mechanical lifters if I needed to do do so. Not much bother to adjust the mechanical ones any way.

This is another example of personal choice. I like to keep them they way they were made (first installed). Solids in trucks and hydraulics in many cars (all cars after 1955).

Put in what you like - as long as the block was made/adapted to work with them.

Dave, At the time I bought the engine it was advertised as 1962 235 engine. I bought it for 75 dollars. It had a hydraulic clutch slave cylinder type clutch housing and the front mount like on the truck. This was before the internet was going. I sent the number off the engine to Car & Parts magazine. They told me it was a 1957 engine.
I remember the number started with an F, but I'd have to look to see what it was now. I know it has the oil line that comes off the rear cam bearing through a little screw in orfice and feeds the rocker arms on it.

John

Yeah anymore it is not a big deal to run solid lifters. For what most people run their trucks, adjustment would not need to be done that often. I think at the time it was recommended to check adjustment every 10,000 miles. This is about the same interval that the generator brushes usually need attention....

John

Tim, here are the serial numbers: Right rear of block: CON1F84 Right front of block: 3835911 Can you tell what I've got? Thanks

What you have posted are casting numbers, rather than serial numbers. The serial number would be the one that is stamped on the machined pad next to the distributor. However, the numbers you have posted do tell us a few things. The 3835911 numbers means it is a '53-'55 235 block. The other number CON1 F84 breaks down to the engine being cast on Conveyor 1, and was cast on June 8th of 1954.

Thanks

The 53 Corvette came with the 235 Blue Flame engine/powerglide with solid lifters. All of the other cars that came with the Blue Flame/powerglide had hydraulic lifters. So my question is, what is the performance advantage of solid lifters?

Solid lifters will not "break-down" (collapse? or float?) at higher RPM.

Solid Lifters and a Corvette/ 261 Cam's engines run like a Screaming Ban chi! I don't know how the Hydraulic lifter engines perform.Just my Opinion, Jerry

Jerry,
What is a Corvette/ 261 Cam's engine?
Carl

In mid-1954 the higher-lift 261 cam was installed in the Corvette 235.