Greeting, I am planning on purchasing this (pictured below) 1941 Chevrolet pickup. It is in good shape, but the 216 runs pretty rough and I'd prefer it have a newer 235 in it. I found a 1955 Chevy pickup with a nice 235 setup (see picture below) that I think would work as a good donor setup. I was hoping to pull the 216 and drop in the 235 & go to a 3 or 4 speed on the floor tranny. Give me your thoughts? Yes, I know I could go with a V8 350, but my 2 other vehicles ('53 5 window & '37 Chevy Sedan) have 235's & I've become pretty familiar with them. Also, keep 41 steering setup or swap? Thanks!
Nice one , Zac. And I would do the same thing. Maybe an overdrive transmission. Still have low end performance with a hwy friendly gear. Power steering? That front end is pretty light and should steer easily. My .02 Ben
Hardest thing you'll run into would be if the engine mount plate behind the timing cover isn't drilled for the bolts. Shortening the water pump is easy, and the bellhousing has to be changed. You'll also gain a 10'' clutch in the deal. It looks like the '46 is a 3 speed, so thank your lucky stars for that ....
Wow, such a nice looking ‘41. I had a “46” -I later found it had a ‘41 cab on it. COuld tell because the rear window frame was drilled for a pot metal frame. The ‘48’s used a more modern all rubber seal. I bought it already with a 350/350 and Jag IFS & IRS. I fully rewired it and I should have kept it but wanted a ‘55 big window(avatar). Now that I have had it 6 years I’ve spent a fortune on it. Maybe that was a mistake. The ‘46 wouldn’t have taken that much to be really nice.
Looks like a nice ole truck. When i was a kid I had a 49 sedan that pops and I pulled the 216 and dropped in a 235. We had to press the water pump pulley back to get fan clearance. Do you have to do that in a pickup?
The Jalopy Journal
