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Rebuild 235? Or new sbc?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Br8kNek, Jul 22, 2013.

  1. Br8kNek
    Joined: Dec 9, 2012
    Posts: 49

    Br8kNek
    Member

    I currently have the original 235 inline 6 in my 54 Bel Air. It has Fenton headers, Weber carb, and HEI. Its been mated to a TH350 transmission via an adapter. It's never been rebuilt and unfortunately it sounds like the main bearings are starting to go bye bye.

    I am now debating on having the motor rebuilt, or just swapping it out for a brand new or gently used small block 350. Nothing too crazy, just a sub 300hp reliable motor.

    I'd like to hear your opinions, pros, cons, etc.
     
  2. Ole don
    Joined: Dec 16, 2005
    Posts: 2,915

    Ole don
    Member

    Opinions are like belly buttons, all the same yet all different. Do you drive a lot in heavy traffic? Does the car accelerate as fast as you would like? Does the car cruise easily as fast as traffic where you drive? The newer V8 will do better in all respects except two. Nothing looks better under the hood than what you have, and nothing in the world sounds better. Ever! Its always cool to park the car at cruise night, open the hood and get lost in the crowd. Circle around and stand behind the people and listen, they are saying, "Oh Man, he still has the six. How cool is that?" With a V8, its a belly button.
     
  3. KRB52
    Joined: Jul 9, 2011
    Posts: 1,077

    KRB52
    Member
    from Conneticut

    Chances are, 90% or better are going to urge the rebuild of the 235. I learned the term "belly-button 350" on this site, and with good reason. Not many are running a 235; the 350 has been put in everything except a Segway.
     
  4. mustang6147
    Joined: Feb 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,847

    mustang6147
    Member
    from Kent, Ohio

    When you go to a car show, and hoods are open, every car has a 350 with a 350.... Me included..... But a nice runnin 6 with some speed parts? well that was getting rare and is makin a come back...

    Its depending on what your doin and the cars purpose.... No help here...
     

  5. chopped
    Joined: Dec 9, 2004
    Posts: 2,139

    chopped
    Member

    At least move up to a 250.
     
  6. Cosmo49
    Joined: Jan 15, 2007
    Posts: 1,551

    Cosmo49
    Member

    When I roll in with this I talk to real people...

    [​IMG]
     
  7. jkski
    Joined: Jan 27, 2009
    Posts: 137

    jkski
    Member

    a 235 six is the cats meow,with a little chrome and polish it is eye catching site under the open hood.it will stand out like sparkling diamond.can you tell i lke them.
     
  8. acj
    Joined: Jul 8, 2011
    Posts: 34

    acj
    Member

    Keep the six!!!!!!
     
  9. GassersGarage
    Joined: Jul 1, 2007
    Posts: 4,727

    GassersGarage
    Member

    I love the 235, but I never open my hood at car shows, I like the availability and low cost of the SBC, plus I run A/C. Therefore, I have a SBC in my '52.
     
  10. keep the 6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666
     
  11. Nonstop
    Joined: Jun 18, 2012
    Posts: 176

    Nonstop
    Member
    from CA

    What is it that you are after? Small block is great for a reason - it is an all around great engine, cheap, lots of parts, and the list can go on. The trade off is everyone has one! The 235 is legendary in its own right, stands out, and is an all around cool engine.

    What is it YOU want? If it were me - I would keep the 6.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  12. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    You have the right 235, I'd go for the rebuild.
     
  13. wolffcub
    Joined: Jul 4, 2011
    Posts: 97

    wolffcub
    Member
    from Edmonton

    I get so turned off looking at trucks with a dressed up 350. Yawn......move on to the next ruck......350 yawn.........

    I much rather look at this all day.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  14. pug man
    Joined: Apr 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,010

    pug man
    Member
    from louisiana

    Depends on how much you want to spend. If money is no object, yea right, then throw a bunch of speed parts in the 6 and go with that. If you want something with more HP that doesn't take much to make a nice cruiser, then go with the SBC... my 2 cents.......next
     
  15. PackardV8
    Joined: Jun 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,170

    PackardV8
    Member

    If anyone tells you it costs more to rebuild a 235" than to swap in a SBC, do not trust that man.

    jack vines
     
  16. El Caballo
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 6,283

    El Caballo
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The only disadvantage is that it will cost you to put in even a gently used 350 about 1.5 times what rebuilding your 235 would cost, and that is leaving out the cost of the 350. If you consider the metal work that you will have to do to the engine bay and motor mounts, all of the exhaust pipe work, radiator, etc. It's starting to add up.
     
  17. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,963

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

  18. 54rat210
    Joined: Jun 5, 2012
    Posts: 391

    54rat210
    Member

    So many people try to talk me outta my six. Telling me I need a 350 or a "vette" engine. I think the 6 is old school coolness.
     
  19. mechanic58
    Joined: Mar 21, 2010
    Posts: 681

    mechanic58
    Member

    If I ever have to build another small block chevy I think I might just vomit right in the lifter valley. I get so sick of looking at them I swear It think I'd rather run a slant 6 chrysler.
     
  20. honestly it just depends on what you want but if you have a full pressure insert 235 these are great motors. especially with the stuff you already have to go with it. make sure you factor in any fab work plus all the little extras if you decide sbc
     
  21. mechanic58
    Joined: Mar 21, 2010
    Posts: 681

    mechanic58
    Member

    I have a good running 250 with 61k original miles on it. Your headers won't fit it, but I have a set for it. You could keep "the six" and update to a more modern and powerful one. ;-)
     
  22. 6inarow
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 2,361

    6inarow
    Member

    Well, the 235 is heavy, wont make much power, is expensive to rebuild, and the list goes on. Those are its good points. I wont point out the bad. You know my recommendation
     
  23. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    On a traditional website, you're going to be steered to the 235 for obvious reasons. You'll have to decide what you want. If opinions matter that much, you could go to a muscle car forum. They'll tell you to go SBC.

    I vote the 235 and I love Chevy engines. But an old car with an old engine is still pretty cool.
     
  24. X-Farmboy
    Joined: Aug 17, 2009
    Posts: 128

    X-Farmboy
    Member

    235 is way cool, mine will be done and ready for install into my '46 later this week. I'm an SBC guy from way back, but keep the 6.
     
  25. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,484

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    Supposedly Chevrolet did a few internal improvements to the 235 after 1957 through 1961,since you already have some cool goodies on yours maybe hunting one of these later ones for a core would be a good move.Also 1957 and later had more compression and H.P. here is a handy chart:http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/468.cfm
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2013
  26. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    I love Mouse Motors but in my opinion, for any Chevy 54 and back, it's gotta have a Stovebolt , unless your building a race car.
     
  27. mart3406
    Joined: May 31, 2009
    Posts: 3,055

    mart3406
    Member
    from Canada

    --------------
    Hell....tell 'em that your 235 already
    IS a "'Vette engine"...a '53 to '55 "'Vette
    engine
    "!! :D
     
  28. jazz1
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,534

    jazz1
    Member

    I would stay with the inline 6 just to avoid having to do all the changes,,,exhaust and what not, I got a V6 in my old truck and what a PIA dealing with exhaust and steering linkage but the engine was rebuilt and only $150.00
     
  29. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,605

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    All good points. So in a nutshell...

    SBC
    Lighter engine.
    More h.p.
    More money, time and effort spent for the re-engineering.
    Same as 90% of the cars out there.

    235
    Heavier engine.
    Less h.p.
    No re-engineering needed.
    Retain the unique, early-style, "time machine" persona of the car.

    The money, time and effort can be spent on the swap or the engine rebuild.

    It's a matter of personal preference as to which sounds better.

    You decide what are the pros and cons for you. Most important...have fun.
     
  30. Stay with the 235!
     

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