The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Article on swapping a 55-59 235 into an AD?

I saw this article somewhere, I thought it was Patricks site but I can't find the darn thing, any suggestions?

Brian

it will work you just have to change water pump to short shaft

That is my thing, what is a "short shaft"? It is the shortened ones you have modified? Or are you talking using the early waterpump with an adapter?

Brian

Brian,

Chevytrucks.org has an article by Patrick on swapping a later 235 for a 216. Maybe this is what you are looking for.

There have been a lot of postings about the options for putting a short shaft water pump in this kind of swap. Some vendors sell a short shaft pump for the newer engines; or, an adapter plate allows the older water pump to work on the newer engine. The advantages of the adapter plate are (1) the fan is in the correct location, and (2) it looks a little more original.

short-shaft pump

adapter plate

Tim

Thank you so much Tim, I thought I had seen it there but couldn't find it yesterday.

I went to the wrecking yard yesterday and found a 51 Flat bed to rob some parts off of. It had a later 235 and looking at the hacked up rad support and latch panel I was reminded that my truck looked like that when I bought it back in 73. Though it was a lot cleaner done, it was wrong. I am going back in time and putting a 235 back in and want to do it right.

Again, thanks a lot!

Brian

Brian,
Having done this swap with my 261 in my '50 I would recommend going with the adaptor plate and a 216 water pump. I shortened the stock pump myself and found a junkyard pulley that fits right. While it fits behind the radiator, I can't run a mechanical fan, it just doesn't fit- it hits the bottom radiator hose. I am running an electric fan mounted on the front of the radiator. It works but I don't like the sound it makes.

A 216 pump would mount higher and solve all those problems.

Thanks, I'll be planning that. Wanta buy a nice unused rebuilt 55-59 pump?

Brian

Hi Brian,

If this link works you can see a 55-62 235 in an A.D. application with the rad out of the way. It works for me with a shroud but I'm with Tim and 4 on the Floor on the best way to do it. The plate eliminates any other modifications.

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w186/curt160/waterpump/?action=view&current=front.jpg

Curt B.

Ok, so let me get his clear, that photo is of a 216 pump with the adapter?

Brian

No,
that's what you get without the adapter. It will threaten to overheat in traffic, and narrowly misses the balancer and lower rad hose. I do have enough room to slip in a new belt though. The adapter will lift the fan up to center it on the rad. Don't have a picture of the adapter in place but there's one of a 216 pump in that album so you can see the difference.

Curt B.

Nope- I'm pulling the 261 and putting in a GMC 302. I'll have to slide the radiator forward a bit but at least the water pump is in the right spot on the block. I've got a few 235 pump cores I never took back to Napa, I wonder what they are worth? I used them as experiments in modifying my 261 pump.

The thing is my truck is sectioned so the rad is going to have to be a little shorter, ala 1953ish passenger car (I am making a 53 Vette motor with the Vette three side draft carbs) So I am wondering if the 55-59 pump may be the way to go and then just deal with a way to get the fan some clearance.

Brian