VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 216 vs. 235 Essential Difference

What is (are) the essential difference(s) between a 216 from a 235? Putting aside things like type of bearings & side covers & valve covers, when does a 216 become a 235? I guess what I'm asking is: what actually accounts for the 19 cu.in. difference?

a 216 never becomes a 235. The 235 CI engine was first used in the Chevrolet trucks, then when Chevrolet introduced the Powerglide transmission They built a 235 engine for it with hydraulic lifters, and some other driver convenience mods like the automatic choke. The 216 engine was used up thru 1952 for manual shift cars and some trucks used a 216 even later than 1953. In 1953 Chevrolet went to 235 engines in all passanger cars, the standard shift and trucks stuck with manual chokes and mechanical lifters. In 1954 Chevrolet introduced the 261 CI engine for the larger trucks, and it was available until sometine around 1962.

The bore and the stroke.

Thanks, Mr. Mack for excellent explanation of the evolution; and thanks to Junkyard Dog for zeroing in on the bottom line.

MrMack -

You may have presented me with an opportunity to learn something here.

What truck had a 216 after 1953? I am not aware of the 216 being used in anything after the '53 trucks.

Thanks.

Well I meant that some trucks had 216 engines in 1953. Of course since the bore and stroke determine the CI I figured that was apparent. But yeah it could have just been the bore or just the stroke difference. Kind of like what is the difference between a 350 SB and a 400 SB? Or a 235 and a 261?

I didn't bother to read the above posts .
The first 235 was used in large 1941-1949 trucks. It looked just like a 216 but had the larger bore and longer stroke.
The block was slightly taller and had the larger bore. The crankshaft was different so as to increase the stroke. The pistons and rings were different due to the bore increase. The camshaft was different to clear the new crankshaft. All other parts were the same with a few minor exceptions.

The 1950-1952 235 used in Power Glide cars and large trucks was almostly completely different. It had a larger carburetor, intake and exhaust manifold, different block with the low side cover, larger intake valves, so the breathing was increased to match the larger displacement.

The 1953 235 truck (large) and stick shift pasenger cars has that engine with some tweaks to the block (made stronger) slightly smaller intake valves . stronger connecting rods, more head bolts and higher compression ratio.
The 1953 Power glide engine had the same head but with a drilled full pressure oiling crankshaft, conn. rod inserts, aluminum pistons, and a higher compression ratio due to taller pistons. In 1954 all engines were 235 with a few slight changes on up through 1962.
The 1950_1962 Powr Glide engines had hydraulic lifters and from 1956 and up all passenger car engines had hydraulics.