• As with a power drill, torque output measures the rotational force of the engine.electric drill image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com
  
  The Chevrolet 235 engine was one of the very first produced by the American car company. The 235 six-cylinder engine was introduced in 1941, and was used primarily in large trucks, many of which saw service in World War II. The engine was designed to run with 30-weight oil, with a maximum capacity of 5 qts.
  
  

235 Engine Specifications

• The 235 inline six-cylinder engine was produced from 1941 to 1947 with little to no changes. The engine is designed with an overhead valve, and produces a maximum of 83 horsepower at 3100 rpm. To achieve the horsepower, the compression rating is 6.21:1.
  
  

Calculation for Torque

• The formula for calculating torque at a given rpm with a given horsepower is: torque = horsepower * 5252 / rpm. Knowing the maximum output of horsepower at a given rpm enables the calculation of torque output specification.
  
  

Torque Output

• The calculated output of the 235 engine at peak horsepower -- 83 hp at 3200 rpm -- is 140.62 foot-pounds of torque. To determine the torque output of the engine at other rpm values, the calculated horsepower at that rpm is required.
  
  

Dyno Testing

• While the engine specifications provide and can derive the maximum hp and torque, it is important to note this is the highest production value encountered during manufacturing. Fuel type, engine oil, carburetor design and the condition of the engine will also affect total horsepower and torque. For accurate determination of actual rear-wheel horsepower output for the 235 inline six-cylinder engine, dynometer testing is required.