Good evening "Dasher"
Yes later 261 engines will bolt right in a cab 11.
It is a tight fit..... a very tight fit.
You will need to use an adapter plate to relocate your water pump to fit length wise and also to center it better in the mid of the radiator. Plan on using your 216 distributor which is shorter and uses a shorter dizzy cap. Strongly recommend using the Pertronix system which will eliminate the points and condenser and eliminate the need to remove the cab to adjust the points. Most truck 261 engines will have the front plate engine mounts and fits perfectly.
I am using a carter YF carburetor as recommended by Carb King. I used a professionally rebuilt Rochester 261 carb but found it was leaking badly when negotiating very steep gulleys while testing the rolling chassis.
It seems that the Rochester is vented somewhere on the top section and does not like being pitched too seriously. Knowing how tight and how hot the engine compartment can get I did not think that hoozing gasoline on a hot engine would be safe. The Carter YF is a bolt on, very responsive and a dream to install.
Since you seem familiar with the MLU forum look us up on the Hammond Barn in the restoration section. There are quite a few of us using the 261 for added "Humph".
Engine wise the 235 and 261 have a lot of similarity and even if harder to find the 261 is worth the effort. Parts are still reasonably available. There are quite a few members in the UK and the Continent that would be more than willing to share their experience and possibly trade parts. Finding an engine rebuilder in the UK maybe a little more difficult but it has been done before.
Any body else who wishes to see what a "Monkey face" Blitz CMP truck looks like, is invited to look up the Maple Leaf Up forum which has members around the world.
The early CMP like yours were based on British specifications....very tight driving compartment meant for a late teenager of 5'6" and 140 pounds, right hand drive, more of a tractor than a truck, geared very low, with a top speed of about 44 mph flat out.
CMPs where a joint effort between Ford and GM..... most body parts were interchangeable except for the engine/tranny....GM used a 216 L6 and Ford used their V8. Fords had the typical split axles and GM the banjo type of axles. You will noticed that your Chev has Ford brakes, Ford door handles and may have a Ford grill. Some Ford CMP were built with banjo GM front and rear axles when parts shortages would otherwise have stopped production.
Since CMP Canadian Oshawa made trucks were shipped to the UK, Europe, Russia, Australia, Brasil and Argentina NOS parts in the original cosmoline wrappers are still being unearthed by collectors. Big dealer in Holland and a UK chap has recently been transporting sea cans full of original parts from South America for resale to truck nuts like us.
Hoping to see you on MLU.
Bob Carriere
Last edited by RAC1812; 02/07/2017 4:45 AM.
