Guys, You have no idea how excited I am tonight, after almost 7 years working on my truck I was finally able to start the engine on my truck today. I had some minor set backs, for example the fuel pump was dry and I could not get any gas to the carburetor, finally ended up putting a good half of cup of gas into the carb and that engine started and because I install dual split headers it was purrrrring like a kitten. The truck is ’53 3100, the engine is a rebuilt 57 car engine with the ignition key starter, single carb, dual split headers, Langdon’s HEI ignition, 4 speed Saginaw with a Patrick’s shifter. I have an open driveline with a later year rear with a bit better ratio. Next improvements planned are power brakes with disks on the front. The body still needs work, but I drive it like that until I get to finish the body. Regards, Antonio ’53 3100
Congratulations!! Boy do I know that feeling!!! It is a tremendous sense of satisfaction once it is running again. I'm happy for you. I got the kids truck running a few weeks ago and have been itchin' to put the sheet metal back on it and start driving it, but I haven't had the time to get to it. Andy
Good on ya, Antonio! And might I add, what a thing of beauty! How do you like/what problems did you have with the HEI? Also, what back end did you go with? Disks up front? But of course!
Great News ! EXCELLENT ! Glad to hear this , now you can drive it around and shake it down for little problems as you continue working on it... Remember to keep a weather eye on the valves and tune up specs as everything beds in, expect the timing to drift a bit & the valve gaps to close up a little to .
that's sweet. i also have a 235 from a 57 passenger car. i like the blue paint and "blue flame" lettering on the valve cover. i'd like to do that on mine. glad to hear you're out and driving!! jon
1957 Passenger 235's I'd love to see the production tables for the 1957 235 engiens as I see more of that particular year than any other , hands down . I know they were a good deal at right around $200.00 (a LOT of $ in '57 BTW) IIRC by 1957 _all_ 235's had the " improved " oil galleries for hydraulic lifters , I know they opened them up again even larger in '59 but the oiling system was never really up for the job sad to say . My '49 3100 shop truxck has one as did my old '46 3100 shop truck many moons ago .
Nate, you asked, so here it is. Total model year production was 1,515,177: 153,353 were the 150 series, 653,358 were the 210 series, and 702,220 were Belairs. They had 8 different engine options. Total V8 production was 957,034, so if my math is correct, that means that there were 558,143 235's built for passenger cars. Interesting to note also, Chevy produced 905,519 powerglide transmissions that year.
Thanx But , I meant the 235 engine production as they made many more engines than vehicles as they made them for service replacement . Remember too : they made those wierd & wonderful Military 235's (the ones with full flow oil filters and extra holes to mount air compressors etcetera) And of course , lots of 235's & 261's to run Ag. pumps , APU's , hoists and on and on.... Still and all , 558,143 is a LOT of 235's !
I havnt commented on your post Antonio, cos im jealous! i want to be on here saying 'its done' but thats a while away, congrats!
