The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What pulley to use?

What pulley is required to use with a late 235 in a 50 pickup?
I know I have to press the flange on the water pump down and cut it off but don't know which pulley to look for. Any help always appreciated.

Chuck

3/8" or 5/8" groove, depending on grove-size on your harmonic balancer and generator (alternator?) - maybe someone else will post information on the diameter of the pulley?

Water pump pulley diameter should be 7" on the '56-'61, 235 engines.

Hi Chuck,

Before you spend a lot of time hunting through a junkyard trying to find a pulley....you might want to consider an alternative to ruining a new pump and not solving any of your trucks cooling issues.

The option I mention is using the "adaptor plate" and the early 216-235 pump which comes with the correct 4-1/4" OD pulley. I've tried making my own short pump and even fabricated a pulley. The problem is that even though you can gain some fan/radiator clearance you do nothing to raise the pump up so it centers on the radiator. In addition, with the pump mounted low, there were issues with fan to harmonic balancer clearance and you are restricted to using a small diameter fan. All of this led to an engine running on the hot side.

I took some good advice and purchased the "adaptor plate" which repositions the water pump higher on the block and centered on the radiator. The "early" waterpump is available at most local parts houses in both 3/8" and 5/8" belt widths. In addition I could run a 15" 6 blade fan and had NO issues with fan to balancer clearance. The cost of the adaptor plate is very reasonable and installation isn't that complicated. A couple holes have to be drilled/tapped in the block and this was easily accomplished with a battery powered drill. You DO NOT drill into the water jacket and the installation instructions will guide you through the process. I have pictures of the completed install and the instruction sheets in my webshots albums. One highlights the drilling process.

I purchased my plate from Pre68Dave on this forum and there are others offered on Ebay. After struggling with the modification of a stock pump, then purchasing the overpriced "short-shaft" pump which was a complete waste of money, I went with the adaptor plate and highly recommend it as the final solution to clearance and cooling issues when installing a late model 235 in an early AD truck.

Dave

Dave,
Wow thanks for the great response! I checked out your webshots of the plate and it sounds and looks like the way to go for me. I did a quick check on Ebay but didn't see anything like it there so I guess I will try to find the fella you mentioned from this site. I'm assuming that I will run the stock 216 pulley and fan with this setup. You and others on this site really make it easy for us less knowledgable folks. Thanks again,
Chuck

Over the years I've traveled the wrong way down many roads. There's no reason why you should have to travel that same road. Wasting time and money on products or procedures that don't work has resulted in the demise of many projects. Restoration can be frustrating at best, without having a clear picture of pitfalls you might encounter around the next corner.

Cooling the engine is just so critical that you're better off to address all the issues you'll encounter. Sometimes they come in layers....you might just as well consider them all and fix it right the first time. Cuts down on headaches and the end result will be a ride that makes happy to drive.

As for the fan....I've had good service from the Flex-a-lite FLX-1615P (6 blade 15" Summit Racing $25.95) The center hole has to be opened up with a file to fit the 1" snout on the early pump. This is the only Flex-a-lite I'd use.

Dave

I shortened the shaft on my 261 and used a pulley off a Ford truck with a 6 cylinder- it fit perfectly, exactly the right diameter and bolt pattern. However, if I were to do it again I would use the adaptor plate too. It was not available when I did it. I had to run an electric fan.

Try this link: Adapter on ebay

Hoyt