Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 235 into a 77 nova

well, i found a rolling engine stand for my 235, LOL. i have a 235 sitting around, and i just bought a 77 nova to put it in, but need help with the swap.

this nova has a 350 that is coming out, and i am going to put the inline 235 in it. i know the novas also came with a 250, so that might help a little. my problem i am trying to figure out is the motor mounts. the motor mounts the 235 uses in my 59 chevy truck are towards the front of the motor, and will not line up with anything on the nova. i noticed there are three holes in a triangle on each side of the motor about 1/3 the way back, are these for the motor mounts for a car? please help i need to do the swap soon before the HOA gets on my back about the car in the driveway that doesn't run!

I've never owned a Nova but can't see any reason why you'd put a 235 in one. In a head-to-head comparison the 250 has it beat hands down. More power, better design, MUCH lighter weight, higher HP potential, etc.

But from a practical standpoint the 2 biggest problems I see are (as you've already mentioned) motor mounts and overall fitment. The 235 is a very tall motor and the Nova engine bay isn't very well suited to handle it. I can definitely see some fabrication work necessary to make this engine fit.

In fact, the amount of work to benefit ratio is so low that many inliners are probably going to discourage even trying it.

-magic mike-

but i have the nova, and the 235 already, i just want to use both of them, instead of buying a new motor, or scraping the nova.

i need help, not advice.

does anybody konw if the 235 and 250 motor mounts are the same?

If you have the time, pull the 350 and transmission. Take some measurements to make sure the 235 will fit. If you think it will, bolt the tranny up to the 235 and drop it in the hole. You will definitely need to fab motor mounts and probably need a thinner radiator and possibly need to go to an electric fan. There will be all kinds of fabricating and parts chasing. Also, hopefully you will not need to deal with any emissions issues.

Good luck

it will fit, i have measured already. i am trying to chase down some motor mounts for a car that use the holes on the side, instead of the ones towards the front. does anybody know where to get some side mounts for the 235?

Look in The Filling Station catalog for motor mounts. you won't find anything that is bolt in for your application, however. You will have to fabricate pads on the Nova to accept the 235 mounts.

The best information has already been given, as 1962 was the last year of the 235. It will cost you more to install the engine you already have than to buy a running 194, 230, 250 or 294 engine that is a direct bolt in.

The motor mounts that you are looking for were used on full size Impala's from 1958 to 1962 (or a Canadian Pontiac). They shouldn't be too hard to adapt. But the bigger problem that I see, is if you are using an Automatic trans as the 235 came with a Cast Iron Powerglide (read LARGE and HEAVY)and the TH350 doesn't bolt on unless you are using one of the adapters that a couple of our Board sponsors sell (I believe in the $300. - $400. range)or if you are using a Std. trans but then you need the pedals, etc. The Nova would be neat when you open the hood and show off a 235 instead of a 250. You will have a few Inliners scratching their heads.
Good Luck

thanks, somebody can appreciate what i am doing.

sorta kinda related.....i put a 270 GMC w/ 50's OD transmission in a '66 van. As i used the bell & trans from the 50's, I had zero commonality in mounts. I cut a hole in the roof over the engine bay, , cut the box out where the flange curved up,(cut another one out of a junkyard van & simply used screws to put it in place) & hung the engine in the hole where I wanted....this made fabbing the mounts easier. the engine was already there, I just had to meet it.
the fan is mounted way too high on these engines- a electric fan off a Benz was aquired. I used a 50's rear crossmember & a adaptor plate, & bolts thru the stamped steel "frame" of the van. It was a king hell lot of work, but I loved that 270.....mutt

i suspect that the three holes you're seeing in each side of the block will identify this 235 as a 1954. If that is the case, then 1952-54 Chevrolet motor mounts might work if you can attach them to your frame, and if the mounts and oil pan will clear the suspension and accessories. The labor will be significant. Motor mounts are only the beginning of the misery.

It is surely an interesting project. With a good 235 you won't lose much power, if any, from a stock 194, 230, or 250. The finished product will likely dumbfound almost everyone who looks at it. "Why did he do that?" We hear it all the time from people who think that only v-things make power. The answer is, "Because he wanted to do it." Who among us can argue with that?

God's Peace to you.

d

I may?? Still have a set of 235 mounts from a Impala. I'll have to look. Then all you may need to do it redrill the frame for them. hope this helps }[oooooo]

1-ton of fun, what are you planning on using for a transmission in this car? Is the 235 built up at all with carbs, headers, etc?

tranny will be a th350 for now. i will try out one of those stovebolt adapter kits. the motor is stock for now. when i finish my 59 chevy, i will be fabbing a turbo setup.

the problems i see for the swap are:

1. motor mounts
2. transmission - i will use stovebolt's adapter
3. throttle cable - i just need to make a bracket to hook it to the rochester.
4. the motor actually fitting - i have measured and it looks like it will fit, only problem may be height, but i can get a cowl hood if needed. i will be using an electric fan.
5. exhaust - i should have enough clearance, i will sort that out once the motor is in.

anybody see anything i am missing?

Common sense/cents?

Perhaps the 'crop burnings' in Mexico have affected the atmosphere there.

JM...

PS: I wonder if the re-invented wheel will still be round?

thank you for your worthwile and informative post. your input is really appreciated :rolleyes:

if you have another inline you would give me for free, then i could scrap the 235. otherwise i have a motor sitting around, and a car with no motor, so why not?

If you are doing it JUST to be different, OK. But you seem to intimate that it will be less expensive to use what you have than to buy the inline engine that fits without mods; it will not be. If you aren't saving the 235 for the Apache, you can probably trade it for a 250.

I have a 250 you can have free. Its been out of its original '70 C10 for about 8 years now, so it may be stuck (I'm not sure). But...the price is right. It is complete minus the carb, dizzy and water pump. I even have a set of tube headers for it, but... Let me know!!

P.S. I'd be quite happy to trade it for that 235...

fab51, email sent.

I agree, you should be able to trade with someone local. I traded a 250 for the 261 I have now