I currently have a 216 in my '52 chevy, but it has a cracked block which has been "patched" w/ stop leak. (stop leak actually did as it's name entails!) Scalop53 & I plan to drop a '67 chevelle 235/ straight 6 into my '52. As I've heard, the water pump needs an adaptor or adjustment to compensate for the slightly longer block. But I know the motor mounts line up right, But does bolt easily to the "3 on tree"*******? Where do I find the and adapter or pump that'll give clearance for radiator? And Since I plan to do the swap at scallops, I'll need to have ALL neccessary parts handy. WHAT things like gaskets, or parts MUST I HAVE, to prevent a mad panic chase to an auto store as do this swap? Also do you have or know of who has the parts needed. (as an extra, I 'd LOVE to get my hands on a split manifold (fenton) or dual/ triple carb set up, any leads on these extras would be great) Thanx for the help -Nick
A 67 Chevelle would have had the 194, 230 or 250 Chevy straight six...still an inline motor, but a different engine than the 235 in every regard! The "modern" Chevy straight six is a bit longer than your 216, and it uses a common Chevy V8 bellhousing pattern so your transmission choices are wide open for open driveline*******s...but bolting it up to the dinky three speed in your Chevy isn't a realistic option! You CAN use a stickshift bellhousing and a 49-54 closed driveline GM pickup or truck trans...it could probably be made to work, but you'd be improvising on the clutch linkage and the length of the motor may become an issue. The easiest swap, as was discussed on Action Girl's thread regarding her dying 216, is to either bolt in another splash-oiled borrowed time 216, or a later (54-61ish) pressure oiled 235. Both will fit a bit easier than the newer 230-250 six. The 230-250 six cylinder will fit, but it uses conventional side mounts and would also require a swap to an open drive for all practical reasons. That means fabbing up some interesting mounts (especially on the driver's side!) and switching to a newer rear axle and installing a driveshaft in place of the torque tube. Believe me...I'm halfway through what you're contemplating...getting rid of a dead**** 216 boat anchor to install something newer! In my case, it'll be a V6 with open drive conversion, but I also made up mounts to bolt in a Vega four just cuz I'm weird that way...and ya GOTTA have a back-up plan!!!
I fabed a front motor mount for mt 250 to swap into my '54 Chevy pu. It wasn't that big a deal. Also used a '50's truck V-8 bellhousing but I already converted to a 5-speed and open drive.. r
haha, now i know why you want the vega*****!!! beware, those motors don't do much...slow pokey and not a lot of power, but i got a few if you need them
If you go with the 235, I believe the 1954 version will go right in without the short water pump. If you get a later 235 the short pumps are available from Chevs of the 40's, Patricks, etc. Patrick's has a good writeup on the 216/235 switch: Patrick's
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