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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,167 Posts1,057,021 Members48,458 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 | I have a 50 Chevy with a 216. It has the 5/8" wide drive belt on it. I would like to take advantage of a fellow members power steering/alternator bracket when I get to work on the suspension so I can run power steering, however his kit will require the drive belt to be the 3/8" narrower belt.
Can I just swap on a later water pump with the smaller pulley? What about the crank shaft pulley? Can I just replace it with one from a later 216 or 235 that had the narrower belt?
Thanks,
Chad | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Chev went to a 3/8" belt in 1953, except large trucks, so you can use a 1953-54 pump and balancer.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 | So the parts are interchangable? Not going to cause any issues or anything?
Thanks,
Chad | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | Didn't I read that you can run a 3/8" belt on a 5/8" pulley? | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Didn't I read that you can run a 3/8" belt on a 5/8" pulley? Sure, so long as it doesn't bottom out. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 | I tried a 3/8" belt last night and I don't think it bottomed out, but the pitch on the sides didn't look like the same. Basically it wasn't close enough for me to feel comfortable.
I got to talking to my buddy at the shop that I am having do the suspension to see if he had any ideas and he pointed to a 350 he had in the corner and said I could have that engine. Gave me a price I couldn't refuse, so the 216 is coming out anyway.
Thanks for everyones help. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,971 |  Another one bites the dust... Your truck to do it how you want to... Lots of AD trucks been converted to V8. (I had one myself.) Good luck with it. Don't junk that 216 without giving another 'bolter a chance on it. 
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12 | Yeah, I won't junk the 216. I will make sure that it makes it to a good home. For what I want to do with the truck, the 350 is the better option in the long run. | | |
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