ok, so i've got a '53 chevy with the original 235/3 spd manual. then engine is in decent shape....but needs a bit of work. (no i'm not gonna trash it....its very rebuild-able, just want something thats not the "splash-oiling system" and something i can "hop-up") i'm managed to run across a couple engines that i'm thinking about buying to swap out. i've been offered a "running" (<<not sure if it really is yet) 230 and i've also been offered a "was running when pulled" 250 thats been taking up floor space in a shop for about a year. (both of these engines have a 3 spd attached to 'em that is part of the sale) are the any advantages to one engine over the other....230 vs. 250? or is it about the same on both and at that point would it be worth going for the "running" one,...assuming money permits... i've done tons of research on the 230, 250, & 292 and you can get about all the same performance parts for all of them(via: Langdon's & Clifford)....just wanted some presonal opinions.... thanks
Since you've got the choice, take the 250. The only reason to use a 230 instead would be to take advantage of the shorter stroke if you were going for maximum revving capability, which I doubt you are.
The 250's have quite a bit more power, moreso than you would think only 20 inches could provide. 230's were a really sick puppy power-wise for some reason.
I don't know about the 230, but the 194 head on a 250 is a easy way to up the compression, so I've been told. maybe the 230 head is the same as the 194? I thought the 235 was pressure oiled in the 1950's........... ?
They got pressure oiling in '54 (I think), but the first few years of the 235 were still splash oiled.
Leo Santucci has a good book on these and makes some great power. I don't think the old trannie will swap over and the motor mounts are different. I also thing it is a little longer so you may have fan clearance issue. Try www.inliners.org. Smart guys that can help you out.
nah, the old tranny wont attach up...but as i said the 250 has a 2 spd attached. i've been kinda leaning toward the 250 anyways...just wasn't sure if there were any advantages with the 230. i try not to over look or underestimate the cubic in. thanks for the advice.
i was unaware that you could do that with a 194 head on the 250! i'll research taht some more and see what i can find. thanks man! p.s. - the 235 was splash until 1953, but only in powerglide equiped cars. in '54 they went to full pressure on all.
as far as i know, the 250 was pulled out of a mid 60's camino and was running when pulled. (they swapped in a V8 and sold the car) the engine is complete and includes the 3 spd trans. it has been sitting in a shop (not in the weather) for about a year and they want it out of the way. probably needs some small TLC. tune, fluid flush/change and clean up. i think i'll go with that. thanks.
nah, i just want a good cruiser that will have the "max" low end that the inlines are known for....i'm not looking to do 100mph. i'll do some upgrades, cam, intake, head, ect. i just want to build a cruiser with some power from a stop, not a race car.
If you're going to go to the trouble to swap in a later engine/transmission/rear end, do yourself a favor and hunt up a TH350 to use instead of the Powerslide. On a six cylinder, a three speed automatic instead of a two speed will make it feel like you picked up another 50 horsepower.
yeah, i don't plan a PG 3 spd. either 3 on the column or a 4 spd on the floor....i like shifting. of course....if i was to run across a TH350 i'd use it.
5 speed so you can run a 3:73 rear, driveshaft from early 70s g-body will fit pretty close with a camaro or 55-57 rear.
If I recall, the '53 got the full pressure 235 mid year. Are you sure it's a babbit pounder? Someone here is bound to know how to tell which engine it is externally. Does the oil pressure gauge go to 30 or 60?
1953 was a split year. All Powerglide engines were full pressure and all standard shift engines were splatter and spray.
i can't remember what the oil pressure gauge reads to....but i know from when i ran the numbers on it that it came up as a '53 standard trans 235, which from what i've understood meant it was "splash" not full pressure. they went ful pressure on all engine in '54. in '53 the only ones were the powerglide equipped cars.
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