I have a '51 Chevy with a '60 235 with dual Rochester B carbs and Fenton headers, but I have a 54 3-speed trans and torque tube, which means I had to keep the 9" clutch. Will it be able to handle the power of the 235? I will be driving this car from Chicago into the mountains of Maryland in about 30 days, so I need to know if it can handle it. It seems like it would given that '51 Chevys came with 235s and could drive in the mountains in 51... and it's only a slight HP improvement with the 2x1.

We burned up the old clutch in 2 short trips, but I have no idea how long it was in there or how wore out it was.

I tried to put in the '60 flywheel and clutch, but the larger clutch wouldn't fit in the bellhousing

The 9" unit will be okay if NOT abused.

If you want a larger clutch you need to use a 50s truck flywheel & clutch. There 10 & 1/2 I think will fit in your bell housing.

Good luck.

I wouldn't be worried, Hellfish.

On my 52 truck I got an original clutch, tranny, torque tube, 3.55 rear behind my dual carb and headers 235 as a daily driver for 12 years now.
I go regularly on the freeways for hours around 3000 rpm, sometimes loaded.

Actually, the first 9 years both clutch and tranny needed replaceing and rebuilding badly, but they held up never the less.

The good thing about having no funds is you learn how durable things from the olden days really are...

Don't trucks have a larger clutch though?

All the trucks pre '55 had the small 9-1/8" clutch.