The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Bellhousing Swap for 216 Bellhousing

OK I am going to ask this question a different way because I am in the dark!

I'm building a '50 3100. I have a '61 235 complete with bellhousing, flywheel, starter, etc.

I need to use the 216 bellhousing I have to mount the engine to the frame.

So...how do I take off the 235 bellhousing and replace it with the bellhousing from the 216 but still use all the guts of the 235 bellhousing? I'll need to find all the parts for the mechanical clutch assembly.

From the 1961 235:
You take off the clutch assembly.
Then, you take off the flywheel.
Then, you take off the clutch housing (bellhousing).

You might want to put into the 235 a new pilot bushing.

You then put onto the 1961 235 engine:
The 216's clutch housing.
Then, you put on whichever flywheel suits your tastes (6v 216's vs 12v 235s)
Then you put on the clutch assembly that matches up to the flywheel.

Be sure to use the throw-out bearing that matches the clutch assembly.

Make sure you read Tim's line about the flywheel. You need to determine if you are staying with 6 volt or going to 12 volt. That determines which flywheel to use.

Right, so if I am going 12 volt, I use the flywheel from the 235 (and thus can also use the 235's starter)?

You are correct.

I'm sorry put in just for other folks that are novices, wouldn'tthe bell housing must come off the engine first, then the pressure plate must be removed to get the clutch disc out of the way in order to get to the flywheel bolts for removal of the flywheel- in that order. Don't mean to poke holes in the thread here but it needs to be spelled out for the youngsters that haven't worked on these engines before.

You can not take the bell housing off, without removing the clutch and fly wheel first.

Right on 31-33. There are bell housing bolts behind
the flywheel SS, so it all has to come out before you
can get to them. and you're correct, it does need to
be spelled out for the youngsters that haven't worked
on these engines, lets not cornfuse them.
Also Jr, I don't think it was mentioned or made clear,
that you could also use the 216 flywheel with the 216
starter if you wanted to, even if you're converting to 12v.
DG

Ya that makes sense.

But I have none of the parts for the 216, just an empty housing.

So I'll need to use as much as I can from the 235 and find the clutch fork and assembly somewhere.

The parts book shows the clutch fork fitting:
1940-54 pass, and 1947-59 6 cylinder truck.
Group 0.795
Part#609954 or 839240
eBay sample

I see, not like a smallblock chev then. This is when learning really takes place. Thanks all for the clarification and Tim for bringing this to light.