I have the stock 216 in my fleetmaster and i want to loose that and get something that will bolt right in and be a little more reliable... I was told that a 235 will do that... Does anyone know, and if so, what years? I want to keep it simple... Just upgrade to 12 volt and have a good runnin cruiser! Thinks for any good info..
Yes, a 235 will bolt right in and makes quite an improvement over the 216. It does take a combination of the 235 parts and the 216 parts to make the conversion, and I can never remember what fits what. I am going to give you a web sight that will give you this information. It's www.patricksantiquecars.com. In his catalog you will find a very complete article on doing the swap you want to do, and it is very helpful. You also need to get to know his parts department too, çause he stocks the best supply of parts and high performance stuff for your car and engine. The only other thing I might add is consider a trans swap to a S10 t-5 5 speed, and you will love this car forever!
That t-5 would probably do wonders... I might have to check into that.. Some one probably makes the adapters for that to ha...
Hi Draggin wagon. need louvers is correct. Patrick's will become your new best friend for info and hop-up parts. Their catalog tells you how to i.d. the various engines, and even tells you step by step how to change to 12 volts. They are good about answering questions on the phone, and have been doing this stuff for a long time. There are others that offer parts too. The installation of a later trans will require the elimination of the torque-tube and original rear axle, though Patrick's does offer a kit to combine the original trans with saginaw guts for better gear-ratios within the trans itself, while still retaining the torque-tube and original rear axle. It's not really necessary though, and a 235 or 261 swap along with a change of gearing in the original axle will get ya down the road fine. The original differential for standard-shift cars was a 4.11:1, which limits highway travel...the engine revs too high for sustained speeds of more than 55mph. A lot of guys used to change the differential to one from a later Chevy with an automatic Powerglide trans, which had a lower 3.55:1 ratio. Patrick's has those new. You do not need the truck bellhousing to do the engine swap. The 235/261 will bolt up to your original bellhousing. Chevy had side-mount engine mounts in...I think...'52 through '54?...but that's no problem, 'cause you can still use your u-shaped front mount on those engines. But you want a '54 or later engine for the full-pressure oiling feature. So '54 through '62 will work for you. The 235/261 engines are a tad longer than the 216s. I believe you can use a shorter water pump, or move the radiator forward the appropriate "tad". Now...I have to qualify all I've said here, by telling you this is all from memory, and there's always a chance that I'm mistaken on any particular point, but I think I'm correct on each count. To be sure, do a thorough search of the hamb, (there have been many discussiions about this swap) and contact Patrick's. Also visit stovebolt.com for loads of info. Good luck with your new old Chevy!
Thanks there rickybop... You seem to know a few things agout this... I have some time for study so that will not be a issue... Im tryin not to just jump in a screw things up.. I want the simplest and best lookin way to do this.. I think shes the one, if you hear me.. Shes the keeper.. With family, it takes me some time to put anything together if its a project.. So in my quit time im reading.. Then in my alone time im turning wrench's!
235 is good, 230 or 250 is better, not difficult to swap. Lets you use a th350, 2004r, more moden transmissions. Put a 55-57 chevy rear end under it, gets rid of the torque tube and you get better gears. I have a 48 Fleetline with a 250/th350/57 chevy rear end. It was easy to do, did it all in the driveway. But-which ever way you go, you win. As was said-if you keep the original rear, a gear swap will be a great upgrade. Then do a brake upgrade.
Try to find a 54 235 as it will be the easiest swap,55 to 62 235s will also work but you will have to deal with shortened water pumps or a water pump adapter.
I just put a 235 from a 54 in my 40 Chevy. There wasn't much to change really just make sure you drill holes at the bottom lip of the front cover n your 235. Your 48 has front engine mounts and the 54/235 has side mounts. Other then that it is a direct bolt in.
My 48 Fleetline with an amc pacer front end under it works great and still keeps orginal 48 front rails.
That looks great... I bet lowering it and the ride will be sweet! A pacer... Who wudda thought?!!! Any year?
check with the dudes at www.chevytalk.com tons of info and pic's there. post pic's as you do your swap so the next guy can benefit.
I've done this swap, kept the 3speed and torque tube, converted the generator to 12 volts, rewired with a Ron Francis bare bones kit and started driving. It was a toy with the 216, but with the 235 it's a real car. The instructions from Patricks and the special short water pump made it a snap. I got myself a saginaw 4 speed and a 52 truck bell housing for the next phase. Anybody know about the side mounts for the bell housing and what has to be done to the K member??? Also something to think about while the engine is out -- A company called Buffalo and another called Red Bird Racing make adaptors to fit a saginaw 122 steering box to the stock mount. the original 48 pitman arm fits the 122. ...MJW
My 48 is a stylemaster -was a 216 with a 235swap.the block is a 53-numbers were hard to match up to anything but the replies on here were most likely it was out of a truck-the head is a 58-62,if im correct you will need and adaptor for your temp guage where it goes into the block.
I used the stock 48 bellhousing - NAPA sells the adaptor for the temp guage, Patricks has the part number.
I think i found a 235 out of a 55 chevy truck that has a body of a 54 or so. Hopefully he comes through anyway... Could the ***tle be swaped or did they run a 55 for a short while that looked like the other models?
We have that covered.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483875&highlight=water+pump+short+shaft
Months ago when I posted this I forgot to say that this bell housing is the key to the T-5 swap. As posted before, your stock bell housing will bolt up to the later motor. sounds like your on the right track with your motor choice.
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