Final update to close out the thread. I removed the original 1953 flywheel from the dead engine that was in the truck when I bought it. I found a local machine shop and had it cleaned and resurfaced (pic below). I bought the correct 9" clutch from the nearby flaps and it all went together easily. The clutch fork and throwout bearing all have plenty of clearance to fully disengage when not in use (pic below). Bottom line, using the 1953 specific parts is what I needed to do. Using alternate parts, that may or may not work wasted my time and money. Lesson learned. The last pic is the fully assembled replacement engine and transmission ready for installation into the truck. Hoping to do that this weekend!
The replacement engine is one that I salvaged from a local junkyard and is from a 1961 Impala. It was originally set up for the cast iron powerglide transmission. It runs well on the test stand, although it does smoke a little until it warms up.
Last edited by Gray_Ghost; 11/07/20195:30 PM. Reason: Attached wrong flywheel pic on first try.
