I have a 55 235 in my 52 3800. It already had one when I got it, and I left it the same when I installed a rebuilt engine.
The radiator is in stock location, and it has the shortened water pump, not sure the pulley, and the 216 fan. it's all very tight up front. Have no problems with heating until I get 3,000 or 4,000 lb on it on a hot day. Empty I had no problems being mostly empty on a trip through AZ and NM in the summer.

If I were to do it again I would use the water pump adapter, but they were not available, or I did not know about them at the time.

Grigg

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-