Hi all I’ve been looking at posts and using info of this site for a while and finally had to just join up. I am thinking about buying a 250 Chevy engine and putting it in my 1950 Fleetline BUT I read here that it is longer than the 235 that is in it. Wind stopped blowing long enough for me to go have a look last afternoon. No extra room between firewall and engine now will the 250 go in without mod to firewall? Definitely not a body man not interested in chopping any holes in my car. Thanks for any advice
Hi Darrell & welcome. The 250 is just around 1" to 1.5" longer. I have not done the swap you are interested in but measure from the bell housing flat on the back of the engine and figure out if that extra length is on the rear or front of the 250. By this I am asking how much the rear of the 250 block protrudes rearward to where bell housing bolts up. If that extra engine length is mostly or all front you should be able to unbolt your radiator from the rear of the U shaped carrier it is bolted into and leave carrier where it is and simply move radiator to the front of the carrier and bolt it there and gain around 2 inches. You likely will have to modify or fab new front motor mount brackets anyway. Do not go buy the 250 relying on my swap info alone as I have not made that change & you should talk with someone who has actually done it. If you must modify the firewall there are replacement patch panels avalible with different depths of recess already made in them. Just cut a section of firewall out (mark with the new panel) and install. Not too big of a deal that way. My 46 Coupe came with the old 216 engine and when it thrashed out I went with a well modified 235 & it has more HP that a stock 250. My 235 was bored 0.060 with the overhaul and that made it a 244. Hot cam, dual intake with 2 2 barrel Weber carbs, headers, HEI ignition, etc. But the modifications were expensive. My avatar photo is my 235 engine. only difference now from engine photo is I replaced that chromed steel valve cover with a finned aluminum. Just reread you post and in 1950 I think all the cars that came with a 235 were power glide equipped? Or was the 235 added later. I recall the 235 engines equipped with standard transmissions came a few years later, just forget which year. If you could get a moderator to move your post to the main board then everyone will see it and you will get more replies. Post photo's when you get started on the build. Good luck, Jimmie
Thanks for info. I considered moving radiator also. Sounds like the coupe is pretty fun to drive. If I did my research right you could get either a standard trans or power glide but the power glide was about a $125 upgrade the standard was 90 hp and power glide was 110hp with different gears in rearend. My reasearch has been sketchy before so it is highly likely that I’m wrong. New to all this how do I talk with moderator? Thank you
Hi. I have never contacted one but if you go to top of page & look across the header bar & click on the email icon and see if you can start a conversation with Ryan. If you can just tell him it was suggested to move your post the main board in hopes of more seeing it and getting more replies. Jimmie
Welcome Darrell, there's a wealth of information on here. Look around, there may be a later 235 available that would solve you're situation. Have Fun with it!
Hey. Get any snow in RS or maybe GR. Cause my shop being as big as all the outdoors was a little chilly today
I think that would be the easiest way to go about this but I bought a “running good” when shut off 250 for $75 I am looking for that 235 they all seem to be scooped up pretty fast
Welcome Darrell from the Black Hills. My first car was a 49 chev that my pops and I transplanted a 235 in. I know we had to press the water pulley flange further back to make room for fan clearance. Have your thought about a small block? Motor would probably be cheaper but then you have to swap trans and rear end.
...it'll fit, no problem,...put a 250 into a 49 Fleetline, think you can use early Chevy II water pump or at least the pulleys to gain some clearance,..didn't modify firewall or move radiator on my 49...fit just fine...good luck with it.
Thanks a lot I needed someone to just push me over the edge so I would stop Second guessing myself that helps my attitude tremendously. Love the teeth in the 49 grill Thanks
Typical WY day here. I ve been rained on snowed on and almost wore a perfectly good coat out taking it off and putting it back on. The one sure thing is no chance of mesquitoes nothing is taking off in this wind
My daughter actually wants this car. So I’ve got two years to finish. Don’t know what kind of boyfriend two years might bring but I’m looking for the one That knows difference between sbc and IL6. My little test. Rusty you are correct about sb way easier
Hey Darrell, what are your plans for the rest of the car? Post some pics if you get a chance. I painted my friend's dad's '52 4 door on Labor Day, it is down in Tooele. It is a stock metallic green, pretty nice old car, an all stock Powerglide version.
...I've put SBC and Chevy sixes into these cars, both pretty strate forward,... Waldon's has the kits to do these swaps,...altho I didn't use em...here's my ol 49...
Rusty that’s nice way better than what I’m starting with thanks for Waldons info I’m gonna look em up and probably borrow a few ideas. I’m just planning to go with power glide stock rearend front end with disc brake conversion. Try to get a little more hp out of engine I’ll put a throttle body on it. I roughnecked for the previous owner this was his only mode of transportation in 1990. He swore it would cruise dwn Highway at 90 mph all day. Haven’t even got far enough into it to consider body yet. Mine is a four door as well so if you should happen onto pic of the 52 I’d love to see it
It might be a couple weeks, but I will see if I can get a pic. The same guy whose dad owns the car used to ride with me to the rig in my old 64 Fairlane. Back in the good old days.
Dont know if my chevy lingo is right but I believe a fleetline is a fast back your car is a 4 door sedan.