The issue isn't the fork itself, but the angle that it comes out of the bellhousing. On 49-54 cars it doesn't come out straight, but at a downward angle of around 20 degrees or so. If you modify the bellhousing with a lower slot, and relocate the position of the pivot ball, then you can use the 216 fork. I'm not sure if the size of the ball is the same between the 216 and later 235's, but if it is, then I would suggest using the later pivot ball since it is a bolt in rather than a pressed in part.
If you try to use a "straight out" fork, you will find that it will interfere with just about everything in that area of the car. It would be a far less hassle and expense to either modify the later bellhousing as described, go with a hydraulic throwout bearing setup which would eliminate the fork alltogether, or use the 216 housing with a Buffalo adapter and a S10 T5 tranny.
