i needed some help deciding to get a new 350 engine or keep the original 235 engine in my 55 chevy first series pickup. the 235 runs great but i want to use it as a daily driver, so i was thinking a more powerful 350 would be better for an occasional freeway drive. what should i do?
350 - more power, cheaper to maintain and modify, but same old same old 235 - less power, easier on gas, not as good a freeway cruiser, tons of charm
dual carbs and a split all done NOSTALGIA and milleage if you need more engine get a 261 block dont build a belly button truck, everyone has a 350 you can put a HEI in it with a little enginuity that will help might be a thought , to get a 5 speed trans or something to help gear it to speed needed
rebuilt 305 283 decent gas mileage 20+ rebuilt 327 350 readily available rebuilt 400 virtually same cost of rebuild as above, a little harder to find but I always run across them. def more power. I get 22mpg on the highway with overdrive in my truck.
A 235 will get you along the highway just fine. If you want to race that thing go with a V8 (not going to say 350)... if you're just looking for a cruiser, then go with the charming 235. For the price of changing everything over in your car to go with a 350, you could spend less than half of that hopping up your 235 to perform VERY nicely. Pay attention to your gearing too. If it's got really deep gears and the 235 is pegged at 55 mph... so will the 350 more than likely. It'll just get you to 55 quicker.
I have a 51 chevy 2 door... Got rid of the 216 and installed a 57' 235... 65mph and runs like a top... 2 carb intake fenton heads sounds great and looks better... Nothing wrong with a sb chevy but you got a 235 that runs good leave it alone....
10:1 say 235 and I agree. I love the inliners. They're hearty little suckers, plus they're super easy to repair as well as affordable.
skun1964, have you ever heard a 235 with split exhaust? Nothing sounds quite like it. It sounds badass.
With freeway driving, the rear end gear ratio will make a bigger difference than having a 235 or a 350. Does your truck have the original rear end? I'm not sure what ratio a 1st series would have, but a 2nd series with a 3 speed would have 3:90 gears. Kinda low for highway driving, unless you have an overdrive trans. Even with a 350 it would still be geared a bit low. By the way, you can't beat a 235 for relibility and longevity. They are very good engines. A 235 would be much cooler than a 350.
yes i have, and yer right. nothin sound quite like it. kinda like a lawn mower w glass packs. just my opinion....
My first car had a 216, I swapped a 235 Corvette inline with tripower. I built a set of tube headers, some highlift rockers and that motor ran really good. In fact there were quite a few guys at my highschool that had 55/56 chevys (that were stock) and they wouldn't race me. Keep the inline and if the motor is in good shape (internally) put some highlift rockers, headers, dual or triple intake and dual exhaust. You'll be surprised at how well it will run, and run, and run. If you ever need to replace the motor, put a 302 inline 6, great motors and a lot of speed equipment if you are so inclined.
I love the 235's Get a saginaw 3spd overdrive and a good 10-bolt and you'll love it. Especially with fenton's. TP
Your era of 235 is a great engine ... and you can't ask a question on a board like this expecting a different response. Besides, you said yourself the 235 runs great ... now just make it run better, stronger.
I really like 350s. I really do, always will. But I've seen enough of them that the excitement and individuality isn't there for me. Bangers and inlines for me make me appreciate the ride more. Visually and mechanically.
Well.. since you said the 235 runs great i'd keep it, I put a pertronix kit in the one I had and it made a big difference on gas mileage by the way. As far as freeway.. if you want to get up to 60+ quick than yeah you might want a v8 for that, keep in mind you'll have to get something besides a TH350 to get some good highway cruising out of it. the 6's are cool looking but i'd probably want a v8 cause i'm trendy.
I took my flat 6 out of my plymmie and put in a v-8 and didnt like it i put the 6 in my wfes wagon and like it more sray w/ the 6
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m177/49Cosmo/driverside.jpg Here's what i'm putting in my 235, edelbrock w/ 2 bbl plates welded on by Buffalo Steve.
It might be this truck? it looks like the rearend is not original, since it's 5 lug, so it could have higway gears in it already.
235, hands down. When it dies then start thinking about the 350 (or the Rocket, Fire Dome, etc.). Once you drop in a small block it'll be a never-ending "add this...add that" money pit. Enjoy your 6!
I vote 235 aswell. As for running on the highway I switched my rearend over the a 50 PG with the 3.55 rear gears and now It's top speed is in the low nineties (althougt that's kinda asking for trouble, I try not to cruise above 80 in it). I've made long trips in it without having any problems, gas mileage wasn't great but I think that's because I kept my foot in it pretty heavy. I love the old engine though... the people that tend to talk to me at car shows are much more interesting than the ones that want to talk to my dad about the 350 in his car . Stay with the 235 for now and try some hop up parts, if you don't like it you can change later (but I doubt you will).
I'm an old guy..so I am prejudiced.. The ONLY reason back then to keep the 6 was.. No money..or Your Mom wouldn't let you change the mill in her car.. ..just sayin' of course..
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