is 235 enough

[Midgets50]

ive been looking to do a 4x4 swap and i know a turbo 350 will bolt up to a 235 motor with an adapter plate. but will my 235 be able to handle the 4x4 or should i look for a different motor?

[flyingtim01]

Sure, it'll handle it, but as it usually does with appropriate engines for your 4x4 applications, it depends on what you want to do with it. If you're converting your truck to 4x4 so you'll do better in the winter, or head down the occasional logging road, or even a mild trail, then you should be fine. If you're adding much bigger tires, a big lift, or if you want to go mudding or rock crawling, you'd probably find yourself wanting something with more stones than the old stovebolt.

[andrewmp6]

They did build some inline 6 4x4 trucks so it shouldn't be a problem in the avg truck.

[burnin oil]

My neighbor back home has a 250 with a 4spd in a 70's 4x4 that he uses for his machine shop to haul material in. Other than the milage the truck has been perfect for him for over 20 years. Same guy has a 40 Ford with a caddy engine and a big block 57 chevy drag car. It all depends on what you want it for.

[johnnyclack]

Originally Posted by flyingtim01

Sure, it'll handle it, but as it usually does with appropriate engines for your 4x4 applications, it depends on what you want to do with it. If you're converting your truck to 4x4 so you'll do better in the winter, or head down the occasional logging road, or even a mild trail, then you should be fine. If you're adding much bigger tires, a big lift, or if you want to go mudding or rock crawling, you'd probably find yourself wanting something with more stones than the old stovebolt.

I agree

Work truck = 235" yes (I have own 3 or 4 in times past)

Play truck = small block

Pont of interest “When the original Toyota FJ-40 was first introduced in the USA (early sixties) it was equipped with Japans version of a 235” inline six. Some might tell you it was the best all around off road 4X4 vehicle ever made.

[flyingtim01]

Excellent point about the FJ. The CJ2A and CJ3A's both had flathead 134 four bangers under the hood until the 3Bs came out, and I don't think anyone can argue with their off-road capability, at least for the time. Of course, they had those skinny NDT pizza cutters and probably weighed less than half what your truck does. Nevertheless, it doesn't take 300hp to go off-road, but it does make it more fun

[Oilbrnr]

IMHO it is all about gearing and torque. My '80 K20 originally had a I6 in it.

[andrewmp6]

Look at the first ford bronco's a lot of them was a inline 6,A lot of jeeps ran the 4.0 inline 6 from the 80s in to 2000ish.

[KroAutomotiveInc]

inline 6's true power can only be seen towing or off road they will torque your face off and never quit what else would you want in a 4x4?

[Midgets50]

Thanks guys great input. It wouldnt be a play truck more of a shift to 4x4 when i gotta pull someone out or go through the snow. i know tires also play a big role in how well the motor performs. currently it has some heavy duty 20 inch rims and duals on the back. ive just got a set of 16.5s that im gonna put some 37.5 humvee tires on it. is this gonna bog it down to much even in when only in 2wd. sorry about all the questions but im not very good with motors
pic below is how the truck is currently sitting and the motor that needs to be cleaned

[johnnyclack]

That's a three window cab, the sheetmetal is worth $$ on that old ride

[Midgets50]

actually its a deluxe 5 window cab. and there is hardly any rust except surface. this summer its gonna get a CLR bath and then im gonna spray clear over the original paint
while ive got everyone able to see this picture. why does the piece on top of my carb have oil in it? can i replace the whole setup with a modern airfilter

[johnnyclack]

Yes, you can R&R your air filter

Before there were paper cartridges available for air filters 52-53’ the first air filters were “oil bath” some will still say they are the best. Allot of heavy off-road equipment still use them.

Hey” I must be behind the times, but then I haven’t owned one since 1968, which would have made it what …. 16 years old, >> same as me then

"Back in the day" we called them 3-window cab, understanding all cabs two door glass & windshield.

[Midgets50]

ok. and yea i guess i always figured they should have been called 3 window and never really got why they called it a 5 window like you said all cabs are gonna have the same glass up front. im planning on running a turbo on it to give it the extra torque to help out with the 4x4

[Z1971]

The 235 is a decent engine. Better than the older 216, but not the same has the "modern" inlines from the 230-292 lineup. Try someplace like http://stoveboltengineco.com/catalog/ They have an "mini" HEI distributor for $185 and a Weber progressive two barrel for about the same price. I sold my old unrebuilt rochester carb on ebay last month. This could help offset the cost. They also have a neat brushed aluminum air cleaner for $30. I would get rid of the oilbath aircleaner unless you are going for a period correct look. It has value to somebody if you want to sell it.

[Midgets50]

really i never would have guessed that the oil bath would be worth anything? what would something like that be worth if you dont mind me askin

[Z1971]

I just checked ebay and there are 3 like yours selling for 30, 40 and 60 bucks. I have seen them go much higher restored. The ones on ebay now are all in unrestored condition like yours. I will try and post a link to one that cleaned up pretty nice. Looks like yours except cleaner and sold for $147.50 last week. http://www.ebay.com/itm/48-49-50-51-...p2047675.l2557

[Midgets50]

wow, thanks Z1971, i never would have thought something like that or the single barrel carb would be worth much of anything, tbh if i hadnt heard this and i changed them they were probly gonna go to the scrap yard this summer when i take a truck load of stuff, now i think ill clean them up and maybe sell em

[andrewmp6]

As long as you gear it to match the tire size it shouldn't bog down much if any.Yeah any old parts your not going to use ebay them.With a truck of its age the oem stuff is hard to find and most of the aftermarket stuff never fits as good as oem does.

[johnnyclack]

One of the sweetest sounds you’ll ever hear is dual exhausts on an inline six

Before headers were available for six cylinders (235). We used to remove the stock exhaust manifold, “split” the chambers three forward- three rearward, weld in a second tube on the front bank and pipe it out the back creating dual exhausts.

[johnnyclack]

Quote "The 235 is a decent engine. Better than the older 216, but not the same has the "modern" inlines from the 230-292 lineup".


Many of the 216” had babbitt main bearings which is a lost art on replacing those puppies, they were not inserts and had to poured in place.


My 49’ ¾-T 235 had an early Offenhauser aluminum twin single barrel manifold with two Rochester’s. It was a strong runner, wished I still had that set up be worth some $$

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_(metal)

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by johnnyclack

Quote "The 235 is a decent engine. Better than the older 216, but not the same has the "modern" inlines from the 230-292 lineup".


Many of the 216” had babbitt main bearings which is a lost art on replacing those puppies, they were not inserts and had to poured in place.


My 49’ ¾-T 235 had an early Offenhauser aluminum twin single barrel manifold with two Rochester’s. It was a strong runner, wished I still had that set up be worth some $$

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_(metal)

My granddad taught me how to pour babbitt bearings and I still do 'em for locals from time to time.

[johnnyclack]

Originally Posted by Redcap

My granddad taught me how to pour babbitt bearings and I still do 'em for locals from time to time.

It is a lost trade, consider yourself to have a Special knowledge.

My Uncle & cousins had a repair shop for 76 years (est. 1936) I wished I had paid more attention to the process

[KroAutomotiveInc]

here is a pic of a split exhaust manifold like johnnyclack talked about.

This motor was or is for sale here in utah i believe he was asking 1700 bucks.

[lowrollin70gmc]

235 will work, just gear it way down. Your rear axle is probably stupid low already, I've driven grain trucks that vintage through the 70s with straight sixes and they may not go over 50 floored but get up to speed quick empty! Or it just felt fast compared to watching paint dry when (over)loaded.