The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop One more water pump adapter question:

My truck is a 1946 Chevrolet Utility. Prior to my purchase, the prior owner did an engine swap to the later 235. In the swap he installed the engine as it was. It currently has the 235 3/8” belt waterpump, the 235 3/8” belt harmonic balancer and the 12 volt 3/8” belt generator. To accomplish this early swap he cut the airflow baffles in the aft section (top and bottom) of the grill and moved the radiator to the forward side of the radiator support. Bent the original 235 cooling fan to clear the lower radiator hose outlet.

After reading many post, and most recent (virginiafiretruck) on the adapter plate, I just want to insure I have it right.

I have a 1955-62 “235” motor.

1) I will remove the later 235 harmonic balancer, and swap it with the 1941-52 harmonic balancer, 5/8” groove.

2) I will remove the original 235 waterpump, swap it for a 1946, 216-ci 5/8" belt water pump.

3) Drill two 5/16” holes into the block using the adapter plate as the template and tapping them with 3/8 coarse threads.

4) Prior to instillation, remove and discard the original backing plate from the 1946, 216-ci 5/8" belt waterpump and replace it with the adapter plate using the 1946 waterpump gasket and #2 permatex between the adapter plate and the waterpump.

5) Mount the waterpump with the adapter attached to the engine using the gasket for a 1955-62 “235” waterpump between the adapter plate and the block and #2 permatex between the adapter plate and the engine.

6) Mount early 216 fan on pump.

So far I think I have it right? But here is my dilemma: What about the 12 volt generator that I want to keep? I have read about different diameters of waterpump pulleys, harmonic balancers etc, but nothing about the generators/alternators.

In step 1 and 2, I changed the diameter of the belt from 3/8” to 5/8” but need to address the generator. Can I do a swap (3/8” to 5/8”) of generator pulleys? Are the diameters of the generator pulleys the same? What about the shaft size of the armature? Will this be a simple swap?
Has anyone had success?

I thank you for your help and input.
Dale

If you have a good Delco genertator and can find a 5/8 pulley from a 6 volt Delco generator they should swap. Pay close attion to the shims behind the pulley fan combo as they will should go with the pulley being swaped. They may be a little difference in diameter but it should work with the damper and water pump. The adapter install is worth the time and trouble to get the water pump and radiator back in the right location.

A 5/8" belt generator pulley will fit an alternator, but you may need to move the alternator to the rear for correct belt alignment.