The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fan interference

First, I need to say that this forum is always very helpful. Its difficult doing back yard stuff when things do not fit as expected. Your advise has always helped with previous issues.

I have a 1960 235 from a truck. I put the engine in a 1955 1st series. There was a clearance problem with the radiator and water pump. I bought a short shaft water pump. Water pump fit fine and the fan belt grooves are in alignment. There appears to be 3/8 clearance between the radiator and the fan. When I tried to install the pulley, there is a couple of problems. The generator and balancer are for a wide belt. The new water pump pulley is for a narrow belt and the fan interfers with the balancer.

Two problems.

1. Looking for a pulley for a wide belt. Any suggested sources?

2. The fan is stock to the 1960 235. It fits fine on the water pump and pulley. Any ideas for either modifying (grinding off the interference) the fan or sources for buying a different fan?

nels1954,

If this response is not what you want to see, just ignore it and wait for more helpful advice.

The hands-down best way to convert a long-shaft water-pump engine for use in an older trucks is the obtain a pump relocation plate and then use an original-style (pre-55) water pump that has a pulley width that matches your harmonic balancer and generator.

The adapter plate places the water pump in the correct location for optimal cooling (many people still have cooling problems when simply using a short-shaft later-style water pump). Also, the adapter plate allows the use of the older fan blade.

nels1954, I have made my own pulleys by cutting the center out of one and the outside out of another on my lathe and then welding the parts together to make a hybrid. This requires careful lathe work and alignment after tack welding, but it definitely works.

My 1971 Dodge van that I bought new has pulleys I made this way to slow down the water pump, alternator and AC compressor RPM because the van is a purely highway tow vehicle, so idling and stop and go are not an issue. There have been no problems in about 20 years and over 100K miles with the home made pulleys.

Doing this would let you mate any pulley diameter and width to your water pump.

Go for the adapter water pump fan and balancer from the old motor. Best thing you can do!

I bought two of these adapters because I have two vehicles with 216s and I want to be able to fit a modern 235 in if needed. I think the adapter is a very clever invention.

This adapter sounds like what I want to do on my 235. Where can they be found?

Jim Carter has them ,just make sure when you order it has the instuctions in there.

You will than use a stock 216 water pump,easy to get anywhere

You'll have to use the harmonic bal. from you're 216 .

You'll have to drill and tape two holes in the front of you're engine follow the instructions,take you're time it's easy.

I did the same thing to my 54 235 and it works great.

Good Luck,Pete

1954 and 1955-1st series high-pressure 235 and 261 engines do not require a water pump relocation plate. They use the older/earlier style water pump.

relocation plate on eBay

Tim,I should have stated it's a 55 Power glide engine from a car.And it's a 55 not a 54.


Pete

Pete,

Yes, that explains it.

The bottom line is, as you and others note, the relocation plate is the all-round best solution.

Nonetheless, I hope that nels1954 is able to find/adapt what he is looking for (as yar has suggested).

Pre"68dave on this site sells the adapter plate also !!

Tim