Ok so I just bought a 49 styleline. Has a 216 in it and I am wondering what other engine options I have? The 216 is siezed. I don't want a V-8. I guess I'm wondering what other inline 6 engines will bolt up to this transmission. I think it's a Muncie 318 3 speed. If nothing will bolt up to it what is a good way to go? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Common swap and the easiest is a 54-62 235. There's plenty of info on here and on the web about this swap.
So that 235 will bolt up to my transmission and thanks for the reply Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Ok cool. The Trans and motor are stock. Now is that a Muncie 318 transmission. I know cars mostly pretty well. I haven't had one this old yet. I've had Willys and Studebakers mainly. I didn't even know of a 216 haha. Well thank you again for your time. I appreciate it Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Not certain about the make of the transmission but the 235 will bolt on. You may have to use the 216 bell housing though and use a short nose water pump on the 235, which you can find at those part vendors such as this one http://www.truckandcarshop.com/
I approve of the 235 swap, they are great engines. Regarding the water pump deal, IMHO there is a far better way to go. There are a bunch of folks selling the short-nosed water pumps, usually for around $150. There are several disadvantages: 1) The pump (a modified later model pump), ends up with the fan in a lower location than stock. It obviously works good enough, but not optimum. 2) The later pump has a different sized lower hose outlet, calling for two different diameters on the lower hose . 3) If your modified pump ****s the bed whilst you're on the road, it has to be replaced with another modified pump. Probably hard to find in Goat Scrotum, Nebraska. The option I would consider is a water pump conversion. It allows the 216 style water pump to be used on the 235 engine, meaning everything is in the original location and uses standard parts and hoses. The conversion sells for $40, plus you need a 216 pump. It does involve drilling and tapping two holes in the block, but doesn't look like a biggie. (I am in no way connected to this vendor, just p***ing along the info.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1962-C...Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b3d59afe&vxp=mtr
The Filling Station is good for parts and has that conversion kit and shortened pumps. Another option is to move the radiator out 1" and use the more common long-nose pump. That's what we did on my wife's '51, but we had to clearance some of the inner hood bracing. A 261 will also work, but finding one may be tricky.
I have the 216 motor in it right now. I haven't pulled it yet. I was pretty sure it was froze when I bought it but I couldn't resist buying it cause it was super cheap and there is not 1 inch of rust on the body itself and the floor pan is immaculate! The trunk lid has a small strip of rust about 2 inches long but I can find another lid. It came with everything. Every single piece of trim is there, and there isn't one dent anywhere. Another question I have is how do I tell if it's a deluxe model or not? The holes for the emblem are there but the fenders could of been changed. This is really cool you guys. I really appreciate all this info. Very helpful Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Check out this web site. It shows you how to read the VIN tag http://www.gearheadgeek.com/ghgj/index.php/49-54-data/1949-chevy-data
Than you jcmarz. So hey hell fish....moving that radiator....is there a lot of cut/weld involved in doing that or is there a way to bolt it on to the front of the mount or weld mounts on the radiator? I'm trying to stay away from any cutting or welding. I wanna leave it as uncut as possible because of how clean it is and one day if I decide I want something else it'll keep value ya know.... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Ok so I think I've had a change of heart!! I think I'm gonna find a 261 GMC. I'm not sure what years are the bolt ons, but I'm pretty sure there's a few years that bolt right up. Mounts and all!!! Yesssss!!! Now finding one...haha Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
With the 235/261 Chevy engine you don't have to do anything with the water pump. Just install the radiator with it's mounting fins to the front side of the cradle fins. It's hard to bolt down that way but it gives you an inch clearance on a stock fan. My '50 was that way when I got it and the water pump was so shot the fan was wobbling around and it leaked like a sieve. Never touched the radiator. Motor decoded to a '56 235. I put a stock, used water pump off a '55 in an old junkyard on it and it fit just fine. The motor was questionable and I didn't want to spend much if it turned out to be cracked. It is possible the rear of the inside hood brace will need to be clearanced with this mod, but that's how they did it back in the day.
Nice man!! Thank you for the post so are the 261's as common as a 235? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
235s are more common but the 261 is the same engine just more cubic inches and the 261s were installed in trucks only but will bolt in place of the 216 just like a 235 will. By the way, 261s are Chevy motors, not GMCs.
So there's not really a power difference? I would think a truck engine would have a little more behind it due to loading n such. I just want an engine that I can do a lot with if I feel the need. Dual carbs, headers, ect. I want to be torquey, but not so much fast. I'm a cruising type, but If I feel I have a lead foot I wanna it to move... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
261's have more torque. Not as easy to find as the 235's. http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/312272/tp/2/ Read this thread from Chevy Talk, regarding WHY AND HOW the stock 235 water pump has to be changed. It's LONGER than the 216. So, you either get a short pump (expensive) or you get an adapter for a shorter '54 pump, which adapts the shorter '54 pump to a later 235 block, or you move the radiator forward, but have to modify hood support structure.
Mine had maybe 1/2 inch trimmed off that hood brace with a torch, just enough to take the lip off it for about the width of the radiator.
I looked for 2-3 years before I found a 261 anywhere near me. They also came in some Canadian Pontiacs. I used 1" box tube spacers to move the radiator out 1". No cutting or welding, but like I said, we had to trim the interior hood bracing to clear the radiator cap. This is a hot rod & custom forum. You can't be afraid to do a little cutting!
Ok so I keep coming across 235 engines but mostly from 50 or 51. I found one of em and the man said if it's what I need that I could have it and I can piece it together. It's just a block with the pan, crank and pistons in it. So I guess my question is how do I get one of those to work? I think it'll bolt to the Trans but the mounts could be off. I'm sure there's a kit somewhere to do this or is there a trick someone might know? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Here's a link to Tom Langdon's Stovebolt site. If you fiddle around on that site it will answer a lot of the questions you may have, such as how to identify the 235 engines with the later oiling system. http://www.langdonsstovebolt.com/tech/engine-swaps-to-better-sixes/ You might also consider putting your location in your profile, in case anyone nearby has help or a deal on an engine to offer.
If you find a 50\51 235, it won't be a full oil pressure engine like the later 235's. What you want is a 54 onwards engine (I think 53 with a powerglide was OK too), anything earlier was a "splash oiler", and were babbit pounders.
I totally would put all of my info. I don't see a way to. I used the forum on my phone. Is it different on a monitor? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Ooh .... can't help you there. I'm really old school. I don't do telephones ... ANY telephones! Anyway, the little grey tabs at the top of the page, where the search tab is. There's one on the right that looks like a head & shoulders .... that will be your profile page. Under "personal details" there is a spot for your location.
What year did they start the hardened valves? I want a 235 but with the better valves Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I could be wrong, but I don't think I've ever heard of any particular problems with the valves or valve seats on any of the Chevy or GMC sixes. Where are you getting your info? I'd be more concerned with getting an engine with full-pressure oiling, and of secondary importance maybe one with the 848 head casting number (late high compression head). That's why I was curious about your location earlier. I've got just such a beast sitting out in the shop, but I don't figure you'd want to drive to Mississippi to get it!
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