I'm going to be swapping out my 207 with a 1954 235 engine soon and have the 235 in the machine shop now. I have a few questions and if anyone can share any known "gotchas" that I will face along the way, your guidance will be greatly appreciated! I've sourced a 1937 truck bellhousing in order to retain the original pedals and I'm told the 235 and original 1936 3 speed transmission will work with it. Can anyone validate this? I'm also wondering what year clutch and components, starter I will need to source to work with this setup? Lastly, if I want to go with a later model transmission, what years will work given the constraints the 37 bellhousing may pose?
Because 1937 used a carbon throwout bearing(last year for this), the pivot location for the clutch fork is not in the correct spot for a fork used with the ball bearing throwout bearing needed for the clutch that bolts to a 235. You need a 1938-46 bellhousing, or maybe modify the 37 bellhousing. You will also need to change the transmission front bearing retainer to except the 1938 and later throwout bearing.
