Got my 235 in my 53

[73kay]

Got my 235 installed in 53 truck. Boy it was a lot tighter than I thought. Like too tight. But after some massaging I got it all the way in. I had 3 other guys help out. The engine was in the back yard on a 49 frame and it sucked. The frame wasn't a roller so we ghetto ass dragged it with my 76 with a strap to the cherry picker. There is a long trench through the grass. Lol I wish I had a 3 car garage right now.

Anyways here are some pix. I still gotta hook everything up and my radiator comes in Tuesday! Pumped!

[73kay]

Here is the motor sitting pretty.

[73kay]

Here is the clearance. I think it's roughly 1.5 inches? We'll see when the radiator comes. One of these days I'll figure out how to
Upload more than one pic from my phone per post.

[73kay]

This was right before we just dragged the dang cherry picker thru the grass. Lol

[YukonXL04]

Congrats! I think my 50 has around 1/2 inch max clearance between the fan and stock radiator.

[62 Barnfind]

Looking good Andrew! Did you get it all hooked up and running?

[73kay]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Looking good Andrew! Did you get it all hooked up and running?

Not yet. I took out out the gas tank and cleaned out the fuel lines today. I get the radiator Tuesday so hopefully this weekend. I'll give ya a call before I do. I gotta see if my gauges will work etc.

Last two things I got to do is find a yoke-joint for the 3 speed and tube connection and get the brakes up to snuff.

[pugs]

not sure how it is in the trucks, but if I remember correctly when I swapped out a 216 for a 235 in my 53 sedan delivery I had to use the 216 water pump to give me the clearance I needed for the radiator

[73kay]

Originally Posted by pugs

not sure how it is in the trucks, but if I remember correctly when I swapped out a 216 for a 235 in my 53 sedan delivery I had to use the 216 water pump to give me the clearance I needed for the radiator

Hum... I'll find out Tuesday when I get my radiator. Lol

[pvienneau]

looks good. My clearance was about a sheet of newspaper when I got it because it had an over size in it so I opted for a standard aluminium and fits nice now. it will be interesting to see how the fit goes. On another truck I am building I had to change water pumps and balancer. Keep us posted on this build. Not many of us sticking with the inline 6s.

[curmudgeon]

Mr. Pugs is correct. You probably know that the 235 engine is not original to that '49 frame. Unless your 235 is from a '54 truck, the '55 - '62 235's were in TF and later models which not only has the H2O pump sticking out further but also has a larger pulley and has the fan sitting lower. Jim Carter has the water pump needed for the conversion:

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cart/p...EME205&i=10295

However, since you were pulling the engine from a '49 truck frame? I would have assumed the previous owner had taken care of this modification. Anyways, still a tight fit, I just went with an electric fan in front of the radiator.

[pvienneau]

The guy I got my 235 from had the long water pump set up in his 49 truck so it does fit but I'm sure it was with mods. Maybe he is watching this post and will chime in.

[Trekster]

I put a '55 235 in my '51 and used a pump adapter and used the 216 water pump.

You can buy the adapter from "pre68dave" on ebay. I have nothing to do with Dave or his adapter other than I have talked to him on the phone about how to install the adapter.

http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-...4eyFBg&vxp=mtr

Oh, the engine install looks good.

[73kay]

Interesting. I have quite the pish posh of parts. I have what I believe to be a 49 GMC Frame that came with the 54 chevy 235. There was a plate that mounted to the front engine rubber mount that may of "adapted" it for the chevy motor.

I also have a 53 chevy 3100 complete body. That is what you see. I am simply combining the best/working parts to make a runner for now. I ordered a 3 core aluminum radiator off ebay so well see how everything goes.

My legal question in the background is should I have the "49 GMC title with a 53 chevy body or just try and get a rebuilt title/state issued etc and try and setup everything as a 53 chevy 3100. All things being equal I would rather have a chevy especially since I don't have the gmc sheetmetal and parts are a premium. Ok End of rant, but I will share pix tomorrow when the radiator comes in!

[chopit]

I think Texas is pretty easy to deal with like Arkansas. Technically you have a 51 chevy since vin tag is on body door post (or supposed to be). I am holding a Texas title with the vin certification waived whatever that means.

Best bet is check with dmv over phone without giving your name so you wont get pigeon holed on your decision..lol. That's what I always do. Worst case scenario in Texas is bonded title @ $200-300

[73kay]

Originally Posted by chopit

I think Texas is pretty easy to deal with like Arkansas. Technically you have a 51 chevy since vin tag is on body door post (or supposed to be). I am holding a Texas title with the vin certification waived whatever that means.

Best bet is check with dmv over phone without giving your name so you wont get pigeon holed on your decision..lol. That's what I always do. Worst case scenario in Texas is bonded title @ $200-300

Aww I forgot to tell you. The roller 53 body is missing the Vin plate.
My backup plan is drop the 49 gmc cab and call it a day but I honestly want a new Vin and just flexibility on changing a motor and if for some horrible reason I had to sell her everything would be legal and right. Lol as soon as I get her idling and get the brakes setup I will investigate my options. But no big purchases until then. Lol

[YukonXL04]

Your definitely going to want to check with the dmv on it. However my dad rebuilt a 87 gmc for my brother but had all chevy body. Legally he is fine, but a little funky if you get pulled over, I have had cops ask about it because their system shows it to be a gmc and it has bowties everywhere haha. But it had a 95 motor, so complete Frankenstein truck but it turned out really nice.

It can be done, and it's still registered as a classic.

[73kay]

Ok radiator came and fit perfectly as far as I can tell (my front sheetmetal is partially installed. I have about 1/2 in spacing between the fan and the radiator. Filled it up with water. (Easy cleanup for leaks) and ran the engine fine. I have a mech temp gauge from advance which has worked in the past but it didn't register any temps. I know the water was getting warm so the thermostat opened. Crazy thing is that when I shut off the engine I would get a bump I. The needle up to 120-130 maybe. It has been cold here but I'm thinking it's an air bubble in the head. Drained the water tonight and gonna hit it again tomorrow and check out the sending unit.

I also think my valves need some adjusting. I can hear a little bit of valve noise but nothing threatening so far.

[diceman50]

Good deal. Glad the radiator fits. It is not unusual to get a temperature spike after you shut off the engine. It is heat soak from the cylinder head and block.
STOVEBOLTS FOREVER!!!

[73kay]

My gauge works lmao!

[73kay]

My wife thought I was cooking dinner. Haha

Btw anyone know how to upload more than
One pic from your iPhone?

[chopit]

"I also think my valves need some adjusting. I can hear a little bit of valve noise but nothing threatening so far. "

If I remember right that 235 might be solid lift so "a little" noise would be normal.

someone can correct me if I'm wrong...been awhile

You might want to pull the cover and run it though to make sure you are getting oil through all the pushrods. My last one that sat unknown years, the oil had gunked up and hardened in a couple pushrods and no oil up to rockers.
It was as easy as just pulling them out and cleaning them.

[dsraven]

You may want to install a dual system brake master cylinder as well. WAY safer than a single system that would be stock. Check all the brake hoses closely for cracks etc as well. Remember to adjust the brakes first, then the park brakes.if you skip the park brakes you may not have great brake pedal height.

[chopit]

Thinking back, I think I am wrong on the solid lifters on 235

[73kay]

Originally Posted by chopit

"I also think my valves need some adjusting. I can hear a little bit of valve noise but nothing threatening so far. "

If I remember right that 235 might be solid lift so "a little" noise would be normal.

someone can correct me if I'm wrong...been awhile

You might want to pull the cover and run it though to make sure you are getting oil through all the pushrods. My last one that sat unknown years, the oil had gunked up and hardened in a couple pushrods and no oil up to rockers.
It was as easy as just pulling them out and cleaning them.

Ya when I first got the motor I did that and made sure oil was getting to the rockers. They are good. I have worked on valves and stuff so I'll research and see what I can find. For now I'm trying to run the motor, clean out the nasty crappie in the water jackets and flush the oil out again. Basically make sure it will be road worthy.