Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train '55 235 in a '53 chevy?

I got another motor, this one's a '55 235 (supposed to be a good runner). I know that I would have to fab up brackets to mount it in my '53 chevy (car). Has anyone done this swap have any advice?

do a search and you will find tons of info already posted. Patricks catalog will also show the swap - call him (520-836-1117), and ask for his catalog then buy his parts because he helps you..

I put a '54 261 in my '53 210 and a later 261 in a '51 back in the late fifties. The '54 in a '53 was no problem at all, and the '51 does not use the side mounts, as it uses the front engine plate for the front engine mounts. Thus, both of mine were a little easier than yours will be. I have seen several later 261s installed in 1952-54 Chevys also use the front plate by drilling the appropriate holes in the front crossmember to accept the front plate mounts. However, the '53 side mounts provide a more stable engine installation, so if you are up to to fabricating side engine brackets that would be the way to go. See the Chevy Shop Manual for a discussion of the mounts. If the front plate mounts are used in a '52-'54 Chevy, the '51 and earlier torque reaction dampers need to installed.

You may also need an adapter to use the '53 water pump or use a modified shaft in the '55 pump. As Tom said above, check with Patrick's, a 12-Port advertiser, and a great Inliner.

Will you be using the '53 drive train, flywheel, and bell housing? I believe that the '53 flywheel ring gear has 139 teeth and the '55 is 168 teeth, so the flywheels and starters have to be properly matched. Will you be going to 12 Volts?

Is this 235 going in your '53 project car in your Webshots album? Looks like a great project.

Hi Tom
I put a '56 261 into my '53. Not sure if the 235 has the same bolt pattern as the 261, but I used the stock towers and rubber mounts. The motor mounts I made up my self. If you would like a copy of my plans I would be glad to send them to you. I don't have a way to scan the plans and e-mail them to you. But I can snail mail them to you if you would like.
Luke

The 55-57 blocks don't have provision for the 3-bolt sidemounting. Your only choices are to mount it like a 49-51 by drilling 2 holes in the crossmember and front motor plate.
The other would involve making your own mounts that would utilize the 2 bolt holes that are at the front corners of the block, and you would have the mounts sit on top of the frame rails. You may need to modify your alternator bracket as well. This method would be more stable, whereas the 49-51 style of mounting would still require some aditional side support at the bellhousing to account for motor torque, like the 49-51 has.
Speedway Motors has some decent generic mounts that work well http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/1199,405...ml?itemNo=mount