Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Intake/Exhaust Manifolds

Hello All! really like this site. I don't look at V8's the same way anymore. :p

I have a question, and I've serched and searched for the answer, but have not found the answer.

I have a 37 chevy car with a 216, I want to swap in a 55-62 235. I think I understand that the intakes manifolds are different. are they?

either way I want to run an Offy x 2 set-up so I'll buy accordingly but...

more importantly, I have a split exhaust on my 216 now, can I run this set-up on a 235???

almost forgot, can I run Carter W-1's on the Offy intakes on a 235?

thanks guys and i'm sorry if the answers are in front of my face...

another question, I have the 216 in the car now an it runs fairly well, but I get a little bit of white/blue smoke and an oil smell. is a product like Lucas oil stabilizer safe to use?

Dear 37;

Yes the W-1(s)will work well on an Offy etc.

Your "split" manifold will not & you'll need to get headers for it (235) to really look right. Those start at $132.00 & go to around $285.00+/-.

You will also need a water pump with the 'short' shaft & they may be some bell housing questions too.

I'm not familar with the Lucas product. Using a pint of STP with a fresh oil change will help. A 216" that doesn't smoke a little is new/rebuilt or not running.

Good luck, John M....

Thanks!

I agree with John, but would add that you need to provide for heat to the intake manifold to get proper fuel vaporization. Check out the older posts, because this has been discussed a lot.

The W-1 will have a smaller bolt pattern than the 53-62 235 Offy intake, so slotting the holes on the carb would be necessary. Otherwise using an intake made for the 216 could be used, but the ports on the intake would be a little smaller, so the locator rings won't work. Either way, you have a little fab work to do. Typical hot rodding.

Is it smoking all the time, or just at start up?
Is it using oil?
Any water present in the oil?
Does it run hot?

I am assuming you mean someone split the original exhaust manifold? if so, the heat riser area is different between the 216 and later 235. fentons are a better choice, but expensive.

This may not be the best thing to do performance wise (minor) but would be the cheapest/easiest, but using a 2x1 intake designed for a 216 would allow you to reuse your exhaust, should have the smaller carb bolt pattern, and if you use some copper RTV when bolting up the intake, you shouldn't have any leaks. Or have a machine shop bore out the intake ports to match the later 235 rings. If you go this route, I would recommend trying to scrounge up a Tattersfield 2x1.

Otherwise, Fentons and a correct late 235 intake and w-1's or the holley/weber 2bbls would be the way to go. Your choice.