235 & 4 speed

[Sam03]

I bought a 235 and 4 speed out of a 54 that is getting a new 350/350. The 235 is running and driving. Just wondering if y'all recommend replacing anything before i drop it in my truck? I still need to finish pulling the body off the frame to clean the frame before the motor and trans can go in. I will get some pics tonight once i have it in the garage.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Sam03

I bought a 235 and 4 speed out of a 54 that is getting a new 350/350. The 235 is running and driving. Just wondering if y'all recommend replacing anything before i drop it in my truck? I still need to finish pulling the body off the frame to clean the frame before the motor and trans can go in. I will get some pics tonight once i have it in the garage.

If its not been rebuilt in the last 10 years then I would pull the pan and clean the goo out of it. I have yet to see a old 235 that doesn't have an inch of sludge in it. Tap the rod caps with a ball peen they should all sound solid. If you get a hollow sounding one its usually going to fail soon.

[Sam03]

Got the motor and trans in the garage!

[whitedog76]

Are you sure it's a 235? It could be a 216 or a low pressure 235.

[Hogger54]

According to Patrick's, every engine with the 2 stud rocker cover will have the side plate(can't tell for sure in the pics) except the '53. It was the very first factory installed full pressure 235.
Have you decoded the engine block ID?

[dwcsr]

54 235 is an odd motor. Made only that one year. Its part new style and old style oil system. It takes the 216 and later 235 designs and tries to marry them. In 55 it became the 235 we all know. prior to 54 they looked much like 216's except the lifter cover with the old style oiling system.

[Sam03]

I was told it was a 235 and when i checked the head casting number it shows up as a 54-55 1st series. 3835913 GM 8 I will get the rest of the numbers tonight.

[whitedog76]

The valve cover and early style water pump throw up a red flag to me. I would definately check the casting numbers on the block.

I'm crossing my fingers for you.

[Sam03]

The block casting number is 3701481. So it's a 54 truck block.

[whitedog76]

Good find. You don't see many of the early 235's. I'd like to find one for my 54. From what I can tell in my service manuals, it'll have the 7.1 compression. Definately an upgrade from the 216's of that era. You should be able to use a bigger camshaft in it too. One from a 261 would compliment it nice.

BTW- sorry if I sounded like a Debby Downer in my earlier posts.

[Sam03]

Np whitedog76. I was a little worried until i got home and double checked the casting number. Not sure why the motor was rebuild but its pretty clean so im guessing it has been since it left the factory. im going to do the gaskets and double check the insides. Also going to do a clutch kit on the trans just in case.

[Quindel54]

May be a 54 block but the valve cover is not.or the head is not. My 54 has the 4 side bolts on the cover and it is original.what is your head casting number, that will tell you what yr range the head is.