If you can,,,,maybe install a newer inline 6 250-292???
The 235 engine is a lot heavier,has less potential than the 194-292 series engines.
I think there is valve cover adaptor that makes it so you can use the stock 235 valve cover so it sorta looks like the original 6.
Like Big Bill said,take the distributer cap off & crank the engine to see if the distributer rotor turns.
MBHD
