I am currently looking for an engine for my 53 chev sedan. I want to stick to a 6 cylinder but am looking for something a bit different and was wondering what you guys would recommend as a replacement?
how about a late 50s early 60s straight 6 chevy with a shaved and ported head, a cam and supercharger on 3 carb intake, 6 straight pipes out the wheel wells 3 on each side or out the hood!
fenton headers, finned covers, offy intake. should make it a little bit nicer even though its been done.
Almost identical to the 235... if you get a later model one I have heard that the oil moves around the engine better. I have a 250 with the original single barrel carb and a B-W overdrive 3 speed from a late 50's car in my 69 C-10. Runs good and is OK on the freeway. Joe
Something different, you say? If you can hunt up a '66-'69 Pontiac OHC 6, preferably the Sprint version (factory Q-jet and split exhaust manifold), it should fit your car with a minimum of fuss.
250-292 will fit (with some work) and will give you more power and maybe cheaper options. I know a guy with a 292 in his 50 coupe with dual quads. It will go sideways if he stomps on it. A 235 will be a lot easier and more vintage looking, and probbaly more economical. If you want economy though, get a v6.
i'm running a balanced 292 w 3 holleys. bigger intake and exahast valves, reground cam. 6 into 2 custom headers w 8' straight pipes. Saginaw 4 speed. wouldn't go any other way!
I'd go with a Jimmy six (248/270) or a 261. The '61's came in Canadian Pontiac's and such, so they may be down there as exports. It looks almost identical to a 235 and will give a little boost in power but a good boost in torque. And everything will bolt right up, not much fab (short water pump maybe). Same with the Jimmy (GMC) sixes. Pretty much a bolt in. The later model 194/250/292, etc., are not a direct bolt in, but will work with some work. But, with those, it'd be easier to swap the whole driveline and convert to open. But that's just my opinion. Whatever you choose, good luck, and keep us posted. Jay
Jimmy six, a 302 or a 270. Practically falls into the existing hole, but offers loads more torque and is very traditional. Lots of fun parts out there, but they aren't easy to find or cheap.
IF you can find one, a cammer Poncho 6 would be the coolest! As I recall, they displaced 215 cubes , revved pretty well and you could use later 6 cyl. 250-292 Chevy mounts. Second choice would be a 300 Ford. THAT would freak out every Chevy fan alive...
The Canadian Pontiac / Chevy 261 is really a 235 with more stroke. Bolt in where a 235 was. The longer stroke makes for a slightly taller block but gobs of torque. Back in the day they would beat many a 283 V8. Don't know if they were available down under, but one of the Canuks on here might ship you one. They are still very common and cheap in Canadian junkyards, mostly in the west.
Actually, the 261 gets its extra 26 cubes through use of a larger bore (3.75 vs 3.5625 for the 235), and the stroke and deck height are the same as the smaller engine. In fact, if you find a 261 block and set of rods, the rest can be taken from a 235, except pistons, which you were going to replace anyway.
I'd stick to the one you've got, there's nothing really wrong with it !? Dress it up and/or give a threatment to perform better, in your own legal way, good luck. / primerkid
Look at Inliners.org or Patricks in Arizona. Also a good book on later model 6 would be by Leo Santucci.
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