I've researched here and elsewhere pulley/balancer sizes for 235's. What I THINK I found is that the '53-'54's used a smaller diameter 3/8" wide pulley, and the 216's used a smaller diameter 5/8" pulley than the '55-up 235's. (please correct this if I'm wrong) But what I haven't been able to find is exactly what the diameters measure. A smaller diameter balancer MIGHT alleviate a problem for me.
My engine is a '59 with larger diameter pulley. This causes a possible problem for me on several fronts regarding my plan for a front motor mounting solution. The 235 won't drop right into my '36 like they do for a 216 replacement. The front motor plate ends up 1" shorter than my 207 if I keep the rear mounting position the same, which I need to do in order to have water pump/radiator clearance.
I am considering 3 solutions. 1.) fabricate a 1" offset to weld to my front plate to reach forward to the stock front motor mount location 2.) Fabricate side mounts 3.) Move the front crossmember 1" rearward and fabricate a new radiator mount to keep it in the correct position.
The problem with solutions #1 and #2 is my pulley may hit the crossmember And even if it doesn't, I may not have clearance to change the belt without jacking up the motor, as the pulley would be too close to the front crossmember.
So I'm wondering if changing to a smaller diameter balancer/pulley would solve this. I'm reluctant to move the crossmember for reasons I won't bring into this post, but I'll go that route if I have to.
Last edited by RBs36; 06/23/2025 6:38 PM.
