I currently have a 1955 235 in my 52 pickup. With a short shaft water pump and a 216 fan the clearance between fan and balancer is 1/8" or less, and clearance between fan and radiator is only enough to get a belt on very carefully. It works, but I needed 4 washers to space the fan off the water pump pulley so it would clear the balancer.
Had it been an option, or had I known at the time I would have used the water pump relocation plate and a 216 water pump. And if I ever run the engine again that's exactly what I'll do.
I suggest you do the same right now, yes you've wasted some money, but you'll be much more satisfied when it works right and you don't have cooling problems.
Do a search, you'll learn a lot about the water pump relocation plates and what's involved.
Grigg
