235 swap

[lumpy63]

Im helping a friend put a 55 235 into a 53 half ton. we are going to use the 55 3spd open drive trans, and a later rear end. I know I need to use the 47-53 type bellhousing but will the 55 168 tooth flywheel and 12v starter work with this bell? I have not located a bellhousing yet so I cant mock it up just hoping you guys might know. Thanks in advance Lumpy

[dsraven]

I think the difference is with the ring gear and starter drive tooth count. google that for info. as far as the bellhousing I think they are the same it is the starter that changed internally and the ring gear/flywheel ( ring gear doesn't swap between 12v ring gear and 6v ring gear because the flywheel is a different size in that area)

[dsraven]

ok, maybe I spoke too soon about the bellhousing if you say you need to use an early one for your swap. why is that, different mount location for the trans mount? will the 55 bellhousing and engine not fit up on the mounts of the early truck for some reason?

[lumpy63]

Yeah 10-4 the mount location is different. My bud just located one in tiajuana so hopefully I can mock it up with the early bell and the 12v flywheel and 12v stomp starter. then I can check starter mesh and pressure plate clearance

[dwcsr]

The back of all 216, 235, 261 engines are the same so any bell from those engines will bolt up. you can use the 216 flywheel on the 235 along with the clutch package and the original bell and starter, Yes a 6v starter is ok on a 12v conversion, Its an intermittent device, were it a heater motor you would need to convert the motor.

You will have to dial indicate the transmission hole to the crank end to make sure its concentric,

Don't use the 12v starter on the 216 flywheel or the other way around , bad things will happen to the bell, starter and engine.

[lumpy63]

Ok got 47-53 bell from TJ today bolted it on 235 using 55 12v flywheel and starter...hooked up battery and mashed down on stomp starter...Worked perfectly!

[lumpy63]

So I guess in short , I surfed the web for hours about this swap it's been done for decades , but everything I could find said use a 6v starter and 139 tooth 6v flywheel. And don't miss match 6v and 12v parts. Which is correct. But nowhere did it say to use the later 12v 168 tooth wheel with the 12v starter with the early bell.Don't ever stop experimenting guy's It's what this hobby is all about...Even old school stuff.

[tmoble]

good stuff lumpy.

Nothing wrong with he stomp starters either. Not like to get stuck with a bad solenoid.