1954 Engines.........6cyl

[Roger C. Godfrey]

What years of Chev engines ( 6cyl ) will fit into the 1954 Vette

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 Engines.........6cyl

Hello Roger; All 235 CI 6 cylinders will fit. This engine was available in Chevrolet cars and trucks from 53 to, I believe, 61 or 62, at which time the design changed. An original "911" block should not be difficult to locate. These blocks were used in trucks too, not just Corvettes. I know where several are located. I have also seen several advertised in Hemmings. Hope this helps. Chuck Gongloff

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 Engines.........6cyl

Hello Roger; All 235 CI 6 cylinders will fit. This engine was available in Chevrolet cars and trucks from 53 to, I believe, 61 or 62, at which time the design changed. An original "911" block should not be difficult to locate. These blocks were used in trucks too, not just Corvettes. I know where several are located. I have also seen several advertised in Hemmings. Hope this helps. Chuck Gongloff

[Wayne Kever]

Re: 1954 Engines.........6cyl

As Chuck said, engines should be easy to come by. However, there are some Corvette-specific parts that are going to be high dollar. One is the water pump. I've been told you need the Corvette pump to get the fan to line up with the radiator and not hit the hood. This is a $600 item. Then there is the tach drive distributor, $600-900. Ignition shielding, $900-1200.

Of course, if you are not overly concerned with correctness you can work around all this stuff. Electric fan, electric tach conversion, skip the shielding, etc.

One thing on the engines is don't get anything out of a passenger car from before '54, even though they are 235CI. They have splash oiling systems, and babbit bearings as well I think.

If you are interested in something physically identical with a little more punch, there is the 261CI "Jobmaster" truck engine. This can be easily bored out to 278CI, and would give you more low-end torque, which the car could definitely use.

- Wayne

[Wayne Kever]

Re: 1954 Engines.........6cyl

As Chuck said, engines should be easy to come by. However, there are some Corvette-specific parts that are going to be high dollar. One is the water pump. I've been told you need the Corvette pump to get the fan to line up with the radiator and not hit the hood. This is a $600 item. Then there is the tach drive distributor, $600-900. Ignition shielding, $900-1200.

Of course, if you are not overly concerned with correctness you can work around all this stuff. Electric fan, electric tach conversion, skip the shielding, etc.

One thing on the engines is don't get anything out of a passenger car from before '54, even though they are 235CI. They have splash oiling systems, and babbit bearings as well I think.

If you are interested in something physically identical with a little more punch, there is the 261CI "Jobmaster" truck engine. This can be easily bored out to 278CI, and would give you more low-end torque, which the car could definitely use.

- Wayne