Rod Cap

Discussion in '1947-1954' started by willardgreen, Oct 19, 2009.

  1. willardgreen

    willardgreen Member

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    Dec 17, 2007
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    290
    Location:
    Dixieland!
    Looks like a rod cap gave way today. Wonder how hard it is to balance a 235? I think I can balance rods and pistons but not the crank. IMHO a balanced 216/235 is the most admirable old engine there is. You have to look at the fan to see if they are running. This has been a slim year for money and thats no Pelosi:(
     
  2. coilover

    coilover Member

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    Mar 30, 2005
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    Plano US
    Doggone it Willard, I just gave away a brand new, never been started 235. The man that bought the truck from an estate wanted a V8 with all the bells and whistles and another fellow at the VW restoration shop just down the road has an old AD he's tinkering with so bye-bye 235. Normally shipping is too high so I don't mention pull out engines but it sounds like your not a great distance away. I have a 37 engine out of a farm truck with 41k miles but it has cast iron pistons, a different front plate, and several other things that would be like backing up from a 50's engine. A contributor on this site, "cimberdad", called my engine builder and he quoted him $550 for a short block completely rebuilt. A very good price but five hundred bucks more than I would have charged you for that take out. Don't dispair and find out who does street rod work in your area. Perfectly good inliners get pulled frequently. If you lost a rod cap most likely the crank got gouged and won't grind.
     
  3. ol' chebby

    ol' chebby Member

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    Where are you willard?
     
  4. willardgreen

    willardgreen Member

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    Meridian Mississippi.
     
  5. willardgreen

    willardgreen Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2007
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    290
    Location:
    Dixieland!
    Thanks for empathy!

    My first car was a 62 bubble top Bel Air with a 235. I felt sorry for myself and replaced it with a 300-HP 327. I never realized how great a 235 was untill I bought this truck for my son/me too. Never a problem in ~4,000 miles, oil pressure gague was always maxed out. Got oil all over the place adjusting valves, then sudden death. A lot like a friend dieing. At least engines can be bought. Anyone have high opinions of hydraulic valves? I like quite;) Probably gonna take a gob of money juice. Hope next year is better.
     
  6. vwnate1

    vwnate1 Member

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    Jan 1, 2000
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    11,689
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    AMERICA !
    235 Fun

    Willard ;

    Hydraulic lifters are a wa$te of time & $ on these engines , they rob power and will ALWAYS clatter @ hot idle .

    If you can find an honest racing machine shop (good luck) yes , you can balance the engine including the crankshaft , flywheel and clutch cover plus the rods & pistons , all to ZERO grams and the boost in tractible power will be amazing plus you'll be able to smoothly crusie down the freeway without worry it'll blow up .

    Adding a 261 cam will increase power and fuel economy too .

    Having the exhaust ports in the cylinder head smoothed up and the exhaust valve guides un shrouded wil increase power end reduce operating temperatures , a win - win situation but DO NOT port it nor do anything to the intake ports other than having them matched to your intake manifold ! .

    Don't replace that old oil pump if it was working well , the new Melling pumps tend to be junk , low pressure and volume .

    I have written reams of detailed 235 hop up info before , it's in the archives , money well spent .
     

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