a guy offered me a 1956 235 engine w/ a 3 speed tranny if i want it. I know nothing about these, so would it be a good idea to take it or not. I know "free is always good" but would it cost a fortune to rebuild if I needed to? What kind of hp did they have, and what kind of mods could I make? It would be going in a bare bones 37 chevy p/u build. please help
Try the search function. This is a topic that has come up dozens of times. Otherwise, check out the Inliners International website, Langdon's Stovebolt, Patrick's Antique Cars and Trucks, ... the list goes on and on. "Is it a good idea?" Well, that all depends on what you want.
yup, lots of stovebolt info on the hamb. Not much power in a 235, but it would power an old pickup ok. you can get new or old hop up parts. Should fit in the old truck ok, not quite a bolt in, but close. you could probably use the original suspension and just add 51-59 type front truck brakes, with 51-54 car front hubs/drums, and a 55-57 car rearend.
That year had 140 hp. Duel carbs make them feel like you doubled the hp. Headers and duel pipes wake them up too. Several companies have regrinds.
take it an if its good , build it. There is plenty of parts available, both rebuild and performance. The 235 was a dependable,strong engine, specially the ones built after 54'. Full pressure oiling, big bearings, OHV, runs cool, and just waiting to be woke up! . the 3 c's [cam, compression,and carbs], and it will give the flatties and some 265's fits.and you wont be one of the millions runnin the 350/350 combo.go to one of the antique drags and you will see some of them mexican offie's taking the trophy,s !!
Pressure oil and insert bearings. Good choice.It would be better if it were a 261 instead of a 235, or if it were a '54 instead of a '56 because '54 has the shorter waterpump and fits a little easier in the earlier bodies.I'd take it given what you are looking for.
You can really build out a nice 235 -- check with Patricks in Arizona. They have all the speed parts you'll need: dual intake, split headers, cam, etc.
here's the web site, took me a second to find it, but I cheated and included "casa grand" in my search http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/
I just talked to Tom Lagdon on Friday. He said that the first three things a guy should do with these old Chevy 6's is 1) water heat the intake 2) run progressive carbs (Carter/ Weber) 3) upgrade the ignition. I'm running the Pertronix conversion in a stock Delco dizzy. Tom didn't seem to have too many good things to say about the Mallory dual point.
The newer Mallory distributors leave something to be desired, but if you can find an old ( as in two piece cap) style Mallory, don't be afraid of it. I ran one in one of my '53s for years with zero problems.
The one I had was a "new" Mallory from Patrick's. $275 smackers. The Pertronix conversion cost me about $70 from the local parts house. Of course, when I bought the Mallory, the Pertronix kits weren't around yet.
what about trans options. My wife will be driving this one mostly and she is not crazy aobut a 3 speed.
As far as the trans, only you know the answer to that! It it the fact that it is a 3 speed she dislikes or the fact that it is a standard (manual ) If mama don't want a clutch, then mama won't have a clutch. Powerglide? You can usually find one of these pretty cheap and they are fairly easy to rebuild. T5 conversion? cheap as well, if you know where to look.
you can use the 2 ton 2 speed or spend about $300 on an adapter to run a modern auto. I prefer the t5 swap. I'm not alone in that respect.
yeah "mamma don't want no clutch" Its the stopping uphill that does her in. As far as the Powerglide goes, are there only certain years I can use or is any fine? With the adapter, is that to run a turbo 350?
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