Blue Flame Six swap

[fisherman56]

Hi all is it possible or even feasible to put a 1955 Blue Flame 6 into my 67? Am I being stupid to want to do this?

[fisherman56]

no one know?

[crawdadfox]

I don't think it would be a problem at all. Not a power house but they sure look cool!

[Fleetline Fever]

What kind of transmission do you plan to use? You do know that the 235 has the old style back of the engine like a 216 from the 30's & 40's. You would need to use the bell housing and transmission from the 1955 donor engine or buy an adapter to use a more modern automatic. Or you could buy an adapter that would fit on the 1955 bell housing for a T-5 five speed manual tranny. Seems like it would be easier to just build a potent 250 or 292. Clifford Engineering makes some pretty cool go fast stuff for those engines. Don't get me wrong I love inline sixes, I get tired of looking at cookie cutter SB Chevys. If you want a 235 I think you should do it, just do a build tread so we can watch.

[fisherman56]

I would like to use my turbo 350 that's in the truck and stock to it. I understand there is an adapter kit that bolts up to the turbo 350, but I haven't heard of a kickdown lever for it. The 235 has the factory 3spd with it and the bellhousing too. But I understand that these used torque tubes? so that's kinds out. I did hear that you can use a T5 out of an older S10 that bolts up just kinda- gotta drill out the 13mm mounting holes. I just think that the Blue Flame is way more retro and would look cool.

[Fleetline Fever]

You're absolutely right, I forgot about the torque tube so using the original 3 speed is out. If there's a will there's a way. I'm sure someone has done it already, you just need to do some research. Don't some Turbo 350s have a cable kick down. Might be easier to rig up than a mechanical linkage. Turbo 350s are cheap to buy and cheap to rebuild if you need to go with a different tranny. If you need info on old stove bolt sixs here are a couple good links to get parts and info.

http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/

http://www.langdonsstovebolt.com/

[john]

Didn't the chevy pickups use the 235 through 1962? I doubt if they used the torque tube. It would not be a 1955 blue flame though.

[Fleetline Fever]

Here are a few pictures of a Chevy 235 with a 200-4R using Langdons adapter plate. This is not my project so I have no idea how they plan to attach the TV cable to that one barrel carb linkage. Necessity is the mother of invention

[seamus2154]

I think it's a very cool look and would definitely do it if I had access to one. Looks very doable and will get great compliments for being different. There are also performance parts for it. I saw one years ago in a a truck and it was very fast sounded cool and got peoples attention. Good luck!

[Fleetline Fever]

Originally Posted by seamus2154

I think it's a very cool look and would definitely do it if I had access to one.

There's no trick to getting access to one, just go on Craigslist. I have one in the garage that I bought as a spare when my 216 finally goes south in my 1949 Chevy Fleetline. I paid $300.00. It came with everything minus the carb but has the bell housing, clutch, tranny, manifolds, 12 volt generator, pulleys water pump & belts. I bet if I put it in a car or truck it would start as is (of course with a carburetor). The 235 is a much better engine than the 216, full oil pressure, better flow head, insert bearing (no babbitt bearings) aluminum piston instead of cast iron but there is something about keeping a car original that I really like.

[seamus2154]

Originally Posted by Fleetline Fever

There's no trick to getting access to one, just go on Craigslist. I have one in the garage that I bought as a spare when my 216 finally goes south in my 1949 Chevy Fleetline. I paid $300.00. It came with everything minus the carb but has the bell housing, clutch, tranny, manifolds, 12 volt generator, pulleys water pump & belts. I bet if I put it in a car or truck it would start as is (of course with a carburetor). The 235 is a much better engine than the 216, full oil pressure, better flow head, insert bearing (no babbitt bearings) aluminum piston instead of cast iron but there is something about keeping a car original that I really like.

Thanks, right now stuck with all the PITA returns and parts for my lowering my truck hoping to be driving soon. Don't really know how good my 350 will be? PO told me and showed receipts for rebuild, .30 over, forged pistons and lumpy cam. Sounds great but we'll see. I would like to be different and do a cool performance 235.

[fisherman56]

Well here are pics of all I got! The Blue Flame was just rebuilt right before the PO bought this 2 door '55. I also got the brand new exhaust take off complete and and the original 3speed, plus a newer version 3speed. Was looking for a 327 for my '67, but this jumped out at me, Oh well someday I will get the 327!

[67_C-30]

That will definitely look cool in the truck!

[fisherman56]

If I use it! I am gonna get a very nice 327 or a 454 for it I don't wanna play switch motors all the time, too old for that lol! I guess I had to save these items, you know how it is, when will I ever come across these again, especially a rebuilt Blue Flame? My sickness or method to my madness, at least it isn't 10 pairs of shoes lol! No offense to those who buy a lot of shoes, thank God I am single. He He.