216/235 Intake & Exhaust Manifold Q:

I know it's possible to run a 216 intake manifold on a 235--but is there any way to run the early intake with a 235 exhaust manifold? From the looks of it, the inner-most mounting holes on the intake (it's aluminum) would need to be narrowed to slide over the studs on the cast-iron exhaust. But I'm not so sure about the preheat (or whatever the correct term is) surfaces lining up sufficiently.

Is this possible, or do you need to use a 216 exhaust to make it all jive?

 

Besides the heat riser bolt spread difference, I believe that the angle of the heat riser mounting surface is milled straight on 216 intakes, and on an angle on 235/261 intakes. I've got several aftermarket intakes for both 216s and 235s, and they all seem to follow this pattern. Most of the time, someone that runs one style intake on the other style engine is running it in conjunction with some sort of aftermarket headers, so the different angle is a nonissue.

 

I figured so much in regards to the headers, but unfortunately, I'm set on running the stock, albeit split, exhaust manifold. Guess I better start looking for a 235 dual intake--that or get a 216 exhaust manifold and have it split. Thanks Heathen.

 

If you want to keep the single intake, you should go with the correct 235 manifold and a 235 carb (like a Carter YF). Those manifolds are easy to find and cheap.

One 216 carb is not enough for a 235 with split exhaust at higher rpm.
2x 216 would be ideal together with dual exhaust, especially on a 235 from 1956 and later, because of the better cams.