The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop two 235 questions valves & harmonic balancer

Just got a 1956 235 to replace my old 216. The front mounting plate on the 235 does not have the holes in it. Can I swap out the 216 front plate? If so how do I remove the harmonic balancer and is there anything I need to be aware of or is it a simple job? I also saw a tech tip that recommends changing the valves so the new fuels don't ruin them. Do the heads have to be machined to do that or can I just change out the valves?

Have a look at this Tech Tip on what you want to do. 216 to 235 tech Tip Regarding "the new fuels", some people worry about new hardened valve seats and others like myself do not.

You remove the balancer with a puller. I believe this is detailed in the manual.

Its not a very simple job Evac. While it looks like it could be, it isn't because two of the bolts that hold the timing cover on are bolted from the inside. This means removal of the oil pan to get to them. Nevermind that it is not the timing cover you are after, its the mounting plate. This means removing the Cam, which means pulling the lifters, rods, rocker assembly, etc, etc.

So you really have a choice of going to all of that trouble, or raising the engine and drilling the two holes. Since you are drilling round holes, consider bolting the front mounts from underneath, then you do not have to remove the aforementioned timing cover to get the bolts through the holes.

I do not know if the 216 timing cover/mounting plate is exactly the same as the newer 235 plate in every way.