Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 216 235 swap

Pulled a 53-55 235 out of the barn today and play to swap it for the stock 216 in my 53 3100. Any thots from anybody?

Are they the same block? If they are... Would it help compared to the money you will spend?
Of course there is the fun and bragging rights you will get on the rebuild. And you cant put a price on that.

Circa 1980 I rode in a Canary Yellow 53 with a bored out 235 and that sucker would pop a wheelie. Not Kidding.

Well,it's an easy swap even if you have to switch or drill the front motor plate.If it's the later non-babbit 235, it's a better engine I think.

Have you narrowed down the type of 235 you have? The 1953 standard transmission 235 engines still had the low-pressure oil system, babbitt rod bearings, cast iron pistons, external oil distributor, etc. The 1953 Powerglide and all 1954 engines would be the best fit, as they have the full-pressure oil system. aluminum pistons, and the high, short water pump like your 53 3100. The 1955 engines (except for the first series pickup trucks) have the low, long water pump that usually requires modification to fit in a pre-55-second series truck. There are adapters or modified water pumps available, however.

As Drew mentions, the front mounting plate from a 54-55 engine may need to be drilled to accept the 1953 truck front engine mount, and any full pressure 235 would be a great replacement for a 216, unless you are trying for a stock restoration.

Welcome to the Inliners' forum, and, we hope, to the Inliners' membersip.

Thanks for getting back to me. It's Sunday evening and it's been a fast weekend. What you guys are saying is the kind of thing I was hoping for. I have never done anything like this. My grandfather had the truck since the late 50's. I got it and drove it till the early 80. Then parked it and raised a fam. Along the way somewhere a friend gave me the 235. I looked up the casting numbers and found that it is a 53-55. Read an article in Hot Rod Deluxe mag. about a 235 rebuild. From what info I gleaned from that.........no babbit bearings. But other than that I dont know. Any good sources of info on what you speak? Im not looking for a racer nor a bone stocker. Just something that is a fun vintage driver to accompany my youngest son's mod A rod to shows etc.

Go to the Tech Tips link on the left side bar of this page and look at Engine Swaps for more info.

Im in the middle of the same swap, I went to the 1956 235 full oiler in my 50 3100, had to get a modified waterpump from Classic truck for $159.00 so the fan would clear, you need to modify the lower rad hose. Thats the only modify I have had to do so far.

Another approach to the water pump problem is get an adapter that allows the 216 pump to be used on a 55 or later engine. These adapters are available from some of the 12 Port advertisers on the Home page. They are almost always available on ebay, also.

Wellp, I've got the rest of the week off so am ready to get down and dirty. Plan to get the 235 on a stand and then start removing all the grease etc and find out what I really have. As I recall, when the engine was given to me in the mid 70's, it was a full oil pressure 235. But I will pull the head and the pan and see where I stand. It's going to be a fun winter project.