Rajo 216ci/235ci conversion-- rare?

[ChevyGirlRox]

I know it is tech week but I can't wait.... sorry....

I have been offered a car with a 235ci Six with a Rajo conversion. I had heard of Rajo intakes and heads for 4 bangers but never for a Six. The only info I can find is on Speedy Bill's museum website here:
http://www.museumofamericanspeed.com...RajoE033.shtml

The car is solid and straight but I really don't have much interest in it. I would probably end up switching out the motor and selling it.

SO, who knows about Rajo conversions? Is it really as rare on this 216 as it seems it is in internet land? Anyone have a value on something like this?

It is a really neat set up. I just really need to justify to myself if it is worth buying yet another car.

This is a disease and we are all sick.

[banjorear]

Chevy Girl:

I can't give you stats or anything, but it has to be. They were and are rare for 4 cly. T's & A's. Good luck. That sounds awesome!

[nexxussian]

What kind of car?

[flatheadjunk]

I have been dealing in vintage speed equipment for 30 years and have NEVER seen one. I think there is a picture of a set up on a roadster in one of Don Montgomery's books. A rare piece for sure!

[THE235KID]

Wow. I would love to have on of those. Convert it to a 235 and go to town!

[ChevyGirlRox]

It is a '53 Chevy 2dr post sedan. It is super solid and straight. It has been in storage for like 30 years. It runs and drives though.

[HEATHEN]

I used to own a Rajo head for a 216, and it's the only one I've ever seen. It was the last project that Rajo Joe completed before his death in the early '50s.

[Bruce Lancaster]

I believe that is an original head reworked with an extra manifold right above where original sits making a straight shot of the runners down towards the valves and carrying an extra carb! I have an old ad somewhere showing the thing. I don't know if he also reworked that tall pocket in the combustion chamber...other speed suppliers did that on an exchange basis.

[ChevyGirlRox]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

I believe that is an original head reworked with an extra manifold right above where original sits making a straight shot of the runners down towards the valves and carrying an extra carb! I have an old ad somewhere showing the thing. I don't know if he also reworked that tall pocket in the combustion chamber...other speed suppliers did that on an exchange basis.

That is basically what it was. Here is the photo off Speedy Bill's site...

[Bruce Lancaster]

Notice that Speedy Bill didn't try to figgerout linkage...good Lord. I hope Rajo supplied something to the original owners!

[flyin-t]

Originally Posted by HEATHEN

I used to own a Rajo head for a 216, and it's the only one I've ever seen. It was the last project that Rajo Joe completed before his death in the early '50s.

In his estate, Joes, was left a 51 chevy hardtop with one of his 6 banger heads on it too. I wonder what ever became of it?

[nexxussian]

Wonder if it had 2 pedals? 1 for GO, the other for GO MORE.

Too bad it's a post. That clean and with that rare of a piece of speed equipment on it I seriously doubt I could afford it anyway.

Didn't all the 53's come with 235's? Manuals with solid lifters and splash oil, and Powerglide cars with hydraulics and full pressure? Or am I getting my years mixed up?

[ChevyGirlRox]

This is not the original engine that came in the car, it is a 216ci truck engine. It has a 3 speed Hurst floor shifter.

[flyin-t]

Originally Posted by nexxussian

Wonder if it had 2 pedals? 1 for GO, the other for GO MORE.

Too bad it's a post. That clean and with that rare of a piece of speed equipment on it I seriously doubt I could afford it anyway.

Didn't all the 53's come with 235's? Manuals with solid lifters and splash oil, and Powerglide cars with hydraulics and full pressure? Or am I getting my years mixed up?

You're correct.

[Road Runner]

Looks like it was meant to go with the stock single carb intake.
Would be easier to hook up both carbs to the same linkage that way.

[HEATHEN]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

I believe that is an original head reworked with an extra manifold right above where original sits making a straight shot of the runners down towards the valves and carrying an extra carb! I have an old ad somewhere showing the thing. I don't know if he also reworked that tall pocket in the combustion chamber...other speed suppliers did that on an exchange basis.

No, it wasn't a reworked stock head--mine was definitely an aftermarket casting. Besides the "compound manifolding", it had 1 15/16 inch intake valves (same as '50-'52 Powerglide engines), and smaller combustion chambers for more compression. Mine was stamped "004", I assume signifying that it was the fourth head completed. I have seen ads for them showing both a downdraft and sidedraft auxiliary carb.

[Bruce Lancaster]

"Wonder if it had 2 pedals? 1 for GO, the other for GO MORE."

I have seen a Chevy set up that way with two accel pedals in some old magazine!

I had no idea those heads were special castings...the setup is so strange I had assumed it was a rework. I wonder why he did it that way if he was starting from scratch...why not make bigger/more ports all in one place?

[Derek Mitchell]

So what are you waiting for? I would buy it and at least keep the motor and sale the rest. Or sell the motor to pay for the car. That head is awesome.

[THE235KID]

Originally Posted by Derek Mitchell

So what are you waiting for? I would buy it and at least keep the motor and sale the rest. Or sell the motor to pay for the car. That head is awesome.

I agree. Get it and see what the engine will sell for. Pay for the car with that money.

[Dago Red]

Originally Posted by ChevyGirlRox

This is not the original engine that came in the car, it is a 216ci truck engine. It has a 3 speed Hurst floor shifter.

Are you sure it's a 216 and not a 261? Seems odd to swap out a 235 in favor of a smaller motor.