Hey all....I am contemplating a swap of the 235/3spd manual in my '59 Apache for a 250/2 speed pwrglide combo. I like the idea of the newer 250 and its pros over the 235 + having automatic would be nice in the truck because I am tall and using the stock seat and gas tank location. I found a good deal on a motor and trans that I can drive before it gets pulled and my 235 has issues, hasn't run in a while, and is missing a carb. Now, I may be buying a T5 trans in the future and putting the gas tank under the bed, so I am wondering if that T5 will bolt up to the 250 as easily as it does to a 235. I have a V8 truck bellhousing for manual transmissions (55-59 vintage) as well and was wondering if that would also bolt to the 250 and would then mount the T5 (maybe not because is it for V8s?? Maybe I should understand that already??) Also, what accessories and manifolds from the 235 will interchange with the 250? Would the intake/exhaust manifolds swap out? I am not interest in V8 swaps of any kind for this project. Thanks for any help!
Nothing on the 235 will fit a 250. The only thing in common is the bolt pattern where the transmission bolts to the bellhousing. I've never messed with a T5....but if you want to keep your original transmission, and use the V8 bellhousing, then you can bolt the 250 to that assembly without too much trouble. You will need to make motor mounts, there are ways to do this relatively easily using V8 swap parts, if you find the correct engine brackets as used in 1963-72 chevy pickups with the 230/250 engine. You will need the correct flywheel and clutch for the 230, but it's the same as used on lots of V8s, so it's not hard to find. This setup would probably be the easiest to do, but it may or may not give you what you want.
Thanks squirrel that is really helpful. If I wasn't undecided on a manual or an auto, this decision would be easier. With a 250 being able to bolt up overdrive automatics, that is enticing, but adding the T5 to my 235 allows me an overdrive gear as well. If my bench seat wasn't newly covered, I would ditch it for a thinner seat and have more leg room to operate the clutch pedal, but an automatic at this point sounds more comfy to drive. Decisions decisions and I always need the help, so thanks kindly!
A 2004R will bolt right up to the 250 this will give a a lower first gear to get the truck moving and a .67 overdrive for cruising,best of both worlds The Powerglide should put some $$ back in your pockets the racers still love them.
The T-5 has to be adapted to the 235 and will also need to be adapted to the 250 so it is nox nix as far as ease of install. Nothing 235 is compatible with the 250 period so just plan on using everything from the 250 from the git. Hopefully after you drive it and decide to buy it you will by the whole thing. You should be able to use the same old generator with the proper mount so don't toss the genny if you plan to run one and the 250 doesn't have one.
Wicked..thanks....The 250 is a side mounted engine whereas the 235 uses front mounts, is that right? I have aftermarket V8 mounts made for my 55-59 frame (speedway) - would they work with the 250? I had a 200r4 and sold it for peanuts two years ago....mistake....
this one? http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Chevy-to-1955-1959-Chevy-Pickup-Motor-Mounts,8473.html if that's what you have, I'd sell them on ebay at a loss, and buy a crossmember type mount kit of this type. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trd-4841 but that's just me...
That's them. I was talked out of the U-shaped engine mount because of the inability of being able to drop the oil pan, if needed. You think these are really junk?
Here is a guide found online to parts exchange that I just found: https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/chevy_standard_shift_info.htm
Just my opinion, but you are really going thru a lot of work to swap one 6cyl. for another 6cyl. I am a old guy, but I will take a good running 235 or larger 261 truck engine any day over a 230, 250, 292 later 6cyl. I have worked on all these engines in a Chevrolet dealership setting and prefer the older style for ease of repairs.....smoothness.....torque curve.....cool aftermarket parts.....tradition etc. etc. If you really need an automatic, you could easily adapt the 2spd aluminum powerglide to the old 235 which of course originally had the older cast iron powerglide. Again......just my opinion.
How do you easily adapt the aluminum powerglide to the 235? I could see swapping a 230 in place of a 235 if I didn't have a good 235, and I did have a good 250. Although it doesn't seem to be too hard to find guys getting rid of good 235s.
"How do you easily adapt the aluminum powerglide to the 235? " There are a few places that offer adapters for the 235 to use the later chevy trans including automatics. They're kind of pricey though. I got one a while back from Buffalo Enterprises in Washington. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The old 216-235-261 engines only have 4 main bearings, as opposed to the 7 main bearings the 194-215-230-250-292 engine family has; makes for a stronger bottom end and a far smoother running engine. The later engine is about 2 inches longer, so usually the radiator is moved forward, or an electric cooling fan gets used. The later style engines also weigh a lot less. I have 2 cars with 250's in them, and they will hit 90 MPH very quickly; I'm sure much faster than the old style sixes could. There's a reason GM stopped making them in 62 (except in Brazil I believe), and introduced the 250 style engine. I know there's a lot of loyalty by some to the 235 style six, so what engine you use is a choice based on that. Motor mounts are made by Chassis Engineering to swap the later style six in, but they don't market any specific kits to do it. As far as the Powerglide goes, 2 speeds are boring on the street, and I would consider a 3 speed, or possible an OD automatic. If you have the 250/Glide, then use it; you can always swap the trans later on. JMO. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
I ran a 250 in my 48 with a V8 bellhousing and a full syncro for probably 100K Between 1989 and 2004. The truck came with a 194 and the stock 3 speed and closed drive in 1973 when I bought it in Texas. You would have to use the stamped brackets that bolt to the block that the motor mounts bolt to to be able to run that Speedway setup. Its odd that guys don't seem to like that setup on a Chevy pickup but flathead Fords ran a similar setup all along. The "not being able to pull the pan if you have a tube crossmember in place" is a bit of nonsense as how often do you actually expect to pull the pan on the engine with it in the truck anyhow? At any rate it would be easier in the truck than in the rig the engine came out of to begin with. The one thing that you do have to do with the later six in an early chassis is shorten the water pumps shaft (press the hub back the right distance and cut off the end) and use a shorter front to back pulley. I used one off a V8 on mine but don't remember what it actually came off.
this is what's wrong with those speedway mounts; http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/what-caused-this.974892/
That's only one thing that's wrong with them. The cantilevered load on the frame rail is another thing.
I don't really want to buy a $3-400 adaptor when I can get a 250/2 speed for not much more than that. Thanks for linking to that thread about the mounts...quite the explosion of the rubber there. As I said and has been highlighted here, the 250 has some unique advantages and my 235 does need work, though I can understand the 6 for a 6 argument of it being a lot of work for maybe not so much reward. Anyone else who is interested in comparing these generations of straight sixes is getting an education here. We are thankful to y'all. I will post up about whatever direction I take in the next couple of weeks, but until then, keep the discussion going, by all means.
The 235 is a trend on here. Everyone that likes them tries to say that they are traditional but the truth is they are only traditional as far as they were what was available. once there became other options they pretty much started becoming trot line weights. Not saying that against 235s if you like 'em you like 'em and they were a timex motor, they would take a licken and keep in ticken. I like the 250 well enough and it is really not a big problem to put the longer 6 in an early truck or car. Sometimes you have to move the rad to the front of the core support, other times you don't. It seems like when I put the 292 in my 41 I just made up side mounts, it was not a time when you could just go out and buy them. I don't recall making a cross member but I do recall boxing the frame from the horns to the firewall. I did have to fabricate a transmission mount and cross member back there. If I am not mistaken the 250 and the 292 are in the same family? Someone can clarify that if you like. I don't want to throw out misinformation. Squirrel's info on the mounts is good information, that setup he is suggesting is a good setup and you can still drop the man with very little effort. If one plans on running a vehicle for any length of time stouter is better.
The 250 six cylinder uses a standard Chev V8 bellhousing. Any trans that fits to a Chev V8 can be fitted to your 250. Exactly what parts are required I don't know but I would start by shopping the junk yards for an Astro van or pickup with 4.3 V6 or small block V8 and 5 speed and cabbage everything off the same vehicle. I suggest the van or pickup trans because they have the shift lever where you want it in your truck. Camaros have them set back. And of course the truck ones are cheaper.
I'm a six cylinder fan but for a truck, would rather have a V8 especially with automatic if you are going to be hauling any loads. For a fun truck for cruises, occasionally picking up the groceries or similar light duties the six will be fine.
I ran a 250 with a 700R4 in my 48 for a couple of years, the 250 has 150 hp and pulled the 48 along pretty good. But I got tired of the sound and the 250 didn't like the 700R4 lock up with 3:25 rear gears, the engine was running below 2000rpm at 70 mph. So I put a V8 in and I like that a ton better. If you still want a 250, I do have a six bladed fan, bigger alt., p/s, and a/c compressor idler, or you can have a 250 with a turbo 350 trans with everything for $150.
if your frame looks like this i would find a v8 bell with the mid mounts and a s 10 t5 then just because i am a little off i would make front mounts like the v8 had i think it will make a very cool truck and there is a lot of hop up stuff for the chevy 6 cylinder
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