Rich, regarding your flywheel/clutch questions-
You can have a machine shop drill your 235 flywheel for the 216 clutch but that may not be your best option. You said the 235 clutch will not fit your transmission. Is something not stock? Otherwise it should be the same and should work. The other issue regarding the 235 flywheel is the need for a 12 volt 235 starter.
I went the opposite direction with my 1952 235 conversion. I am using the 216 bell housing, flywheel, and starter (will be running on 12 volts). I had the 216 flywheel surfaced and drilled for a larger 235 clutch (pressure plate).
Chuck
