A 216 balancer should solve your crossmember interference. It has a 5'8" pulley
A '59 235 has a low water pump which will not be centered in the radiator. It has a large 1/2" pulley and too long of a shaft. Not ideal
You can install an adapter plate to the front of the block to relocate a 216 water pump with a 5'8" pulley in the center of the radiator.
A 5/8" pulley can be installed on your generator or alternator.
Thanks Carl! I am definitely leaning toward the water pump relocation plate, and if I go with a smaller diameter pulley, I'm definitely going to go that route. Originally I was going to just make my own short shaft pump, as it's easy enough to do. But after much consideration, I'm leaning toward the adaptor plate.
Right now I have to decide what I'm going to do for a front motor mount. I'm assuming you mean the 216 balancer is 5.8"? If so, that's over an inch smaller than my pulley, so that gives me 1/2"+ more clearance on the bottom. I think a 5/8" belt is about 1/2" deep, so that might give me just barely enough room to change belts. I just might be able to get away with keeping the crossmember where it is, but need to put some more thought into it to be sure.
In the meantime, I'll start searching for a 216 balancer, as I will need that for the water pump conversion anyway.
