klhansen, jat d, and Bill Hanlon,
Thanks, that's great information and encouragement that I am not looking at a disaster. I have disassembled the 216 which was quite the task. As you know unlike modern engines the clutch and flywheel need to come off to get to the Bellhousing bolts and my 216 was seized. After pulling the head and pistons I was finally able to turn it to get to the clutch bolts. However, a note in the 1937 Chevy 1/2 ton truck shop manual I bought from Chev's of the 40's has this note on page 146. It states: "NOTE- On 1/2 ton trucks it will be necessary to block the clutch levers with 1/32" flat washers so that the pressure plate assembly will clear the Clutch housing." But, it doesn't go into detail on how or where to put the washers.... This is a 1937 Chevy 1/2 Ton Truck. I ended up having to remove the clutch pressure plate "release sleeve" retained by three springs to get enough clearance to remove it.
I will be pulling the 1956 235 bell housing next to see what my next steps are. The 216 has a 139 tooth flywheel designed for a 6 volt starter and the 235 probably I believe a 163 or so flywheel with a 12 volt starter and has more modern flex clutch and throw-out bearing, unlike the carbon throw-out bearing and spring pack pressure plate. I'm contemplating using the 163 tooth flywheel, modern clutch, just need to mock it up in the old bell housing to see if the clutch fork with work, or if I need to consider a custom fork. Btw, the 3 speed transmission is a different bolt pattern then the 1956 bell housing and the Brake master cylinder and clutch pedals and safety break lever mounts under the floor to the side of the transmission. I want to try and keep that.
Thoughts?
Thanks
RonG
