The 54 and early 55 engine is a better fit to replace a 216 due to the water pump location. The late 55 and newer engines have a low mounted water pump which creates fan fit problems when replacing a 216 in trucks older than mid-year 55. Your "truck" will have the same problem, or maybe worse. The 848 head will fit either engine, so that's not a concern. The choice of cam is a no-brainer- - - -use a Melling CCS-1 or an Elgin E-293S, both of which are a virtual clone of the solid lifter cam used in the 6 cylinder Corvette and the 261 truck engines. Main bearings with the upper dowels for the 54-55 235's aren't terribly scarce- - - -I've bought three sets on Ebay in the past couple of weeks. The ones that are exceedingly difficult to find are the mains for the 1948-53 216 and 235 spray-oiler engines.
Make a couple more posts to get access to the private message system- - - -I'll buy your 216. I make 258 cubic inch stroker engines with pressure lubed 235 crankshafts from them. If you can find a 54-55 261 engine it can be built into a 290+ cubic inch version of the same stroker setup.
Jerry
