[Bob Carriere]

Hi John

You were lucky that our 235 had already been modified with an older 216 pump.

Experience has shown that it is impossible to fit a 235 or 261 with the later original water pump...unless you want to cut stuff!!!! ... the original pump is lower in the block and the pump impeller of the original 235 pump is inside the block. Overall the original pump is about 2 inches too long and hits the radiator core. Also because the original pump is lower inside the block when installed in a CMP the lowered fan blades usually hit the lower radiator outlet....

So that major headache is resolved for you..... the only thing left for you to figure out is to match the size of the various pulleys.... the two critical ones are the size of the crankshaft pulley versus the size of the 216 pump pulley...... otherwise there is a chance you will spin the water pump toooooo fast which can cause cavitation and reduced water flow. The typical solution is to replace the modern 235 cranshaft harmonic balancer/pulley with the 216 size which is some what smaller in circumference so the similar belt speed is maintained.

The other consideration is matching the various belt size grooves from all the 3 pulleys..... some are 3/8 or 1/2 inch but the older pulleys may be 5/8 or even 7/8. Having matched the crank pulley to the pump pulley the odd one usually is the generator or alternator pulley.

I suspect... and hope... that in your case since the conversion was already done from a previous Blitz that it may have been taken care of.

Good source for spare wide pulleys and belts are you local or rural farm tractor shops since most still service older equipment and they sell belts by size and not be model/year/make and color of your car.

My tractor shop usually gives me 3 belts to try ....one over, one under and one the matching size I requested.... pay for one and return the others when you drive by...... try that at a typical Auto Parts store!!!!

Let us know how you make out..... and include pictures since most of us can't read too well!!!!

BooB