The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop My 1956 235 car motor is too long

Now it is time to assemble parts to the frame. Bolted the fender/radiator bracket to the frame, took some measurements and found there is no room for the radiator to fit to the engine side of the frame. I have a 4 1/8 in pump that came on the truck's motor. Let me say that I drove the truck 100 miles 2 years ago before dissasembly. The PO had the radiator mounted on the bumper side of the rad. frame, and cut out 2" of metal in the lower part of the grill. The only thing I can tell is that this motor is longer than a truck 235.
I really need some help
Thanks Tony

I assume you have a 1947-1955.1 Chevrolet truck,you never said what you're working on.The car and truck 235 engines are the same length.The original 216,235 have a different style of water pump that is shorter.It sounds like you need the adapter plate that will allow you to install the earlier style water pump.Do a search,there is plenty to read on this subject.

Good luck.


Tim

Some guys solve the problem by installing a modified water pump with a short shaft. I think some of the vintage parts dealers who advertise here have those pumps available. A better option is to install the adapter kit that allows the 216-type water pump to be installed on the late model 235. This procedure also raises the pump to the proper location to allow the original type fan to be used as well as shortening the overall length of the engine/water pump assembly.
Jerry

Hey all, I slid the radiator down the bracket as it should be. I believe if I exchange the 1 1/2" spacer for a 1", that I should have enough clearance. But Jerry you are right, the waterpump and fan [censored]. sits 4"s below the center of the radiator. The pump can only come up 2" before it hits the therm. housing. Are there any pictures of this adapter you are talking about?

Thank you Tony

If I post an ebay motors link, it gets zapped right away. Just go there and search for "water pump adapter". It's a plate that bolts onto the front of the late-model 235/261 engines and allows a 216-type water pump to be bolted onto the later engine. It requires that two holes be drilled and tapped into the front of the block, but that's no big deal.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry, I'll get a catalog out and see what it looks like. Too bad I just had my pump rebuilt and it's never seen water. The GM # on my pump is 3736567. its supposed to correct for the 1956 235 motor that is in my 54 3600.
Tony

Here is a link to a recent thread on this topic.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=869202#Post869202

If you follow the various links, you'll find one with an excellent set of photos of the adapter plate installation.

Tim thanks a lot what a set of pictures and a video at the end to run the oil pump. I just ordered the adapter plate from pre65dave. Will order the pump monday, Thanks again for everyones replys

Tony

I'm really surprised that as much as this subject comes up,there are no tech tip articles.Here is a link to my photos when I did mine. water pump conversion


Tim

write a little up to go with some of your pics and submit it to the editor, it'd be welcome

Bill

when I tried putting in a '59 261 in my '54 car back in 1961 the then hot tip was merely hammering down the pully plate on a'55-'62 pump, torching off the excess shaft, and fitting some kind of pulley to it. I still had to move radiator forward-not bad but bad was having to trim some of the under hood bracing to clear the upper radiator tank (no fair using torch as it would smoke the paint job!) I finally got it in, and did redrill and use the '54 fan as it was skinnier.

I think it would still be close even with the now availible adapter- was '53-'54 only bodies that had the hood bracing problem? Just guessing, I would suspect all '49 thru '54 cars would have similar bracing interference probs.

We dont want to talk about the non-matching side mount problems in this "drop-in installation" either. But it was fun taming the flatheads, and occaisional 265 chevy with the twin valve covers.

edski,
the adapter puts the old style pump in exactly the same place as it was with the 216. The engine blocks are the same length so no, it wouldn't be any closer.

A slight (and insignificant) clarification to truckernix's statement: I think the original-style pump and the adapter plate will result in the older style water pump being closer to the radiator by the thickness of the plate plus the the thickness of one extra water pump gasket (maybe 1/8" total ?).

Tim, the original back plate is removed from the 216 style pump and my adapter plate is installed instead, so the pump sits in the stock position.

Here is a post by Bigtonka and step by step pictures. water pump adapter plate
A little time searching will bring up all kinds of information,hope this helps you.


Tim

Pre 68 Daves instuctions are very good on how to install,it took about 1/2 an hour to drill and tap the holes.I did have the engine on the stand when I did it.And after You're done you can use a pump"216" that can be ordered anywhere in the US at any FLAPS.


Pete

Sorry, Dave, of course you are correct.

Now that sounds like a perfect fit (thought adapter was something like a 3/8" plate)-good idea--wish I had one years ago