What’s up folks. I was wondering if anyone had a Napa part number for an 11” Heavy duty clutch Kit that would fit a 53’ 235. At this time I can only find 9”. I installed the bigger HD flywheel not realizing how much more tedious it is tracking down a clutch kit. Might have to swap it out with a standard flywheel and buy the more readily available 9” kit . Thanks again for the feedback
First 11'' clutch in a Chev was '54. If you can find a '54 flywheel from a 1 1/2 ton, it's a bolt-in. you can also use a '55 - '62 flywheel & a 12 volt starter, or change the ring gear to an early one.
The flywheel I’ve installed has 139 teeth and 9 mounting holes for the pressure plate. Can’t seem to locate a new pressure plate. The original I’m using for reference has bent diaphragm- not useable. The clutch disc (not pictured) measures 11” .
I may still Have one. Pulled it years ago, no idea of shape, but exchange/rebuild use for sure. I’ll look towards the end of the week. yours for the drive.
How about going a little later to a 168 tooth flywheel? You would need the matching bellhousing. If this bolts to the 235 you are in like Flynn. I run one in my car and use a truck starter, the clutch is an 11" Zoom diaphragm spec'ed out for a Chevy C30.
That's actually a 10 3/4 inch setup. The only vehicles that used that pressure plate were Chevrolet trucks and Studebaker trucks.
The flywheel changed when they went to 12v in 55. I'd be looking for a flywheel from a 55-62 pickup truck 235 engine, and use a 12v starter. That way it would be easier to find clutches and starters I think I have a flywheel, but I'd have to look, measure, etc.
Good luck. As Heathen said probably a 10 3/4" not a 11" and those seem to be next to impossible to get. I spent a lot of time and ordered 3 different clutches that were "guaranteed fits" and not a single pressure plate worked. Had to have mine rebuilt eventually. Even spoke to the clutch manufacturer directly and was told what would fit and it didn't. If yours can't be rebuilt take the advise and switch the parts out so you can run a different clutch you can actually get parts for.
just went thru this with a 54 235 engine we put in a 51 truck, The 51 had the 10 3/4. We swapped them over to the 54 engine but first sent the clutch out to Kentucky clutch in Louisville. One day turn around, $175.
About the only way to get an 11 inch truck for the 53 would be to use the clutch and flywheel for a 54 truck that still used a 139 tooth ring gear but I am not sure at all that the 11 inch pressure plate will fit inside the 53 Car bellhousing . The Chevy truck bellhousing won't work because the mounting setup is entirely different and 48 and later trucks use the Muncie bolt pattern for the trans rather than the smaller earlier bolt pattern. 53 trucks used a 1o-3/4 clutch for 3600 and larger. Those have a 9 bolt pressure plate.
Swapped out flywheels things morning. Went from 139 tooth flywheel with 10” 3/4 clutch to -168 tooth flywheel with 10” inch clutch. Parts store had clutch kit on the shelf for 130$. A lot easier to find 10”inch than 10” 3/4… Couple hours of work and we’re back together …. Now I just have to either completely change the starter or replace the bendix if possible?
The engine came out of 1953 Chevrolet 3800 cab & chassis truck. That probably explains how I ended up with a 10” 3/4 inch pressure plate/ clutch combo like the one in the pictures you posted. I swapped out flywheels this morning with one that has more easily accessible clutch kits
Yessir , new diaphragm pressure****embly- clutch disc - throw out bearing- pilot bushing . . Made in Korea lol
Which starter should I be looking out for that would allow me to still use the foot starter but has 168 tooth splines?
Chevy went from a 139 tooth ring gear to a 168 tooth ring gear on trucks with the TF trucks. The info I am finding says that the 12 Volt 55/'59 235 truck starter won't work on the earlier trucks. We put a 56 235 in a 53 but used the 56 flywheel and starter. We used the 56 trans and rear end and may have used the 56 bellhousing and modified the crossmember. That's been 42 years ago so the memory is a bit foggy.
I’m using a 1948 Chevrolet passenger car bell housing. Im going to try the 55’ chevrolet truck starter and see how it goes. if the starter bolts up we should be good to go
The starter and flywheel have to match as being before or after 1955, so the starter will mesh with the ring gear. The rest of it is the same.
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