Well well well ...
.success! 
The 12 volt starter was reassembled today and installed in the truck (as per bartamos suggestions).
After running some test runs with the plugs out it engaged well. And retracted as it should.
After connecting the battery, I gave it a full start and ignition check and it fired right up.
Bartamos, I did forget to polish up the end of the pinion gear. But it seems to engage ok regardless.
Hopefully this will be the end of base starting problems.
Sure was a good learning experience re: the engine vintage -- 6v vs 12v ring gear.
Looking back it now seems logical of what the previous owner was trying to accomplish some 25 years ago.
Perhaps he knew that the engine was not a 6 volter. Only wish I'd known
Thanks guys for your advice and challenges to my questions
**
Now, while the hood was open and the sun shining of the front of the engine, it reminded me of another issue ..but not serious.
Have a look at the second pic ...
Notice that the fan is not centered to the radiator, the blade tips actually fly below it.
Does this have something to do with the engine being a later edition than the rest of the cooling system?
Obviously, all 235s and not the same, huh
I can imagine that overall cooling is affected. Although I've never experienced any overheating.
(I realize this is not the right forum for this new issue, but thought I'd ask anyway)
