Technical 49 Chevy Fleetline Deluxe

Hey all,
I have a 49 chevy fleetline, with a 216, where recently the timing gear went bad. So i just pulled motor and was wondering. Is it better to rebuild the original 216 or do a 235 swap? Will a 235 bolt right up to my 216 bellhousing and 3spd transmission?

 

A 235 would be a much better engine to build. Get one made after 1954 because they have full pressure lubrication and do not have the Babbitt bearings your 216 has. They made the 235 through the 1962 model year, and yes, they will bolt up to your 216 bellhousing. The only catch is the water pump, but I believe there is a conversion pump available.

 

You will need the front timing plate from the 216 as it has the motor mounts. It’s a job but better than trying to drill the 235 front plate.

 

Are you able to read the chevy serial numbers?if so, i have a chevy 235 block that reads con4 , K101 , and 3764476

 

I would just replace the timing gear if it was a good runner.

 

How well did it run ? If it wasn't making any noises, I'd do the head, pull the pan & check the bearings for acid etch, ball de-glaze it, ring it & adjust rods & mains .0015 - .002
Get the metal timing gear ...
Buy a '49 - '54 shop manual.
If you go 235, find a '54 core to build & get the "848'' head from a '57 - '62
Maybe put your location in your avatar; might be someone close with parts ...

 

I can’t, maybe @squirrel can. He’s our resident numbers expert.

 

that sounds like a 1962 model 235 engine. What is the stamped numbers by the distributor?

 

My Fleetline was a 216 with the 4.11 torque tube I upgraded to a 261 and 3.55 torque tube. Best decision I made. The 261 (or a 235) would give you much more power, and the lower rear axle is a big improvement in drivability. Might take some time to find a good 235 but it will make your car more reliable. Just my two cents….

 

I hated 6s growing up. Now I save as many as I can from the scrap yard. Cool ones anyway.
If the 216 is fixable, might be worth a shot. Even if it’s just to get ya by as you source a 235.
My FB marketplace has several at decent $$$$
Just got this one Saturday for $0. Guy posted it for free during a garage clean up

saved a 261 out of a bus for $125 a couple years back.

 

371062CAL is stamped by the distributor. I have a set of 235 heads that read CON 13, G264 , & 3835913. Would these be compatible?

 

It ran great, didnt leak oil just burnt a little. I would drive it 50 miles to San Francisco going to car shows and back from where i live.just under 60,000 original miles, i did drive it alot on the freeway cruising 60-65. Its a 12 volt conversion with petronix electronic ignition. Only trouble it ever gave me was blowing the original radiator, but that was a quick fix.

 

Do you know where i can get the water pump conversion?

 

I believe Chev’s of the 40’s has the conversion water pump.

 

There are two choices on the water pump; either a modified '55-'62 style pump, or a plate that allows you to bolt the early style pump to the later style block.

 

I would fix the timing gear and get it back on the road, so you can enjoy it and then fix up the 235.

 

That doesn't look like a normal Chevy number. A picture of it might help?

that should be a 1954 head...I think it fits the later 235 block.

 

Yes, the heads interchange from 1953-62.

 

I'm a big fan of V8's in these cars. drove mine to Paso way back when. coming back I saw an AD truck, and a 51 and 53 passenger car all old school doing 60 down the freeway so I passed them doing 80.

 

I like getting passed by other cars

 

For the record power glide 1953 235s were also full pressure hydraulic lifter engines

 

When I was a kid in high School when we would swap in a 55-62 235 in place of a 216 we would press the water pump pulley flange down and use an early 60s falcon 6 cyl WP pulley . Usually had to trim a bit off the shaft afterwards with a die grinder.

 

Chev of the 40's info:
https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/year/1949/Car.html

 

My 235 block is setup with hydraulic cam and lifters. Does 235 heads use the same rocker arm assembly for hydraulic and solid lifters?

 

I think 50-58 are the same. 59-62 has some difference

 

All 235s had the same adjustable rocker arms. I think that the '59-'62 rocker assembly had a difference in the oiling setup.

 

I am in the process of doing just that , see if you can find a title "box of parts" in this section . I havent finished it yet but I have taken pictures and list problems I ran into, Many members have giving me advice.

 

Thankyou all for your reply’s and suggestions. I just got my 235 running, but i am having a issue where oil is shooting out from one of the rockers causing less oil going to the others, it wont let me upload the video to this thread to show yall. But if you can, you can copy and paste the link below to the youtube short i just uploaded showing the oil shooting out from the rocker. Any suggestions on what to do will be very much appreciated.
https://youtube.com/shorts/j68NicRSavQ?si=WdNlolwwTe2DBzJE

 

Plug the hole, none of the other rockers have a hole there.

 

Anthony you need to transpose the last 2 numbers in that 216 they make a big difference