232 parts questions

It depends on what year 258 you have. If it's the early 258, starter on the driver side, I think all other parts interchange. If it 's the later, much more common 258, starter on the right, about all that will interchange, is the fuel pump and maybe the water pump.

Doug, you can use a 258 head. The caveat is you'll have to have custom length hollow pushrods. There may be a stock length that will fit, but you'll need to figure out what the length should be. Your 65 232 will have shaft rocker arms which are 1.5:1 ratio. A later model 258 head has stud mount rockers with 1.6:1 ratio rockers. So you'll get a little more lift from the stock cam (not a problem!).  The problem is the deck height of the 232 was raised in 1971 to allow for the longer stroke 258. All 71 and later 232 and 258 engines have the taller block. I think it was raised 1/8", but I'm not positive right now. In theory you should be able to use a hollow pushrod that difference shorter than the 258 pushrod, but you need to know the exact difference. I may have it in my notes -- could be 1/16" taller instead of 1/8". The shaft head oils through a passage in the block (the later head and gasket will block it). The stud rocker head oils through the pushrods. You also need to make sure the lifters have a hole in the top. They should, as the end of the pushrod needs oil too. If they don't though, you'll need a new set of lifters.