Tim -- Nope. Didn't have to. I remember asking Jerry about that and he gave me the reason why, in my particular instance, that wasn't a concern. You are right that it *is* a valid question, but I cannot recall why the answer was "no" for me. Apparently, you don't always have to change that gear ... You'd have to ask Jerry.
The only "tells" on my engine are the carburetor, the push rod cover and, of course, the casting codes
Otherwise, you can't tell it from a 216. It fools a lot of people who think they know these old trucks.... Then again, there's a lot of people who look and would believe me if I told them it was a 6-71 Detroit ... (I had left over Alpine Green from my 6-71 project so I used that instead the right engine paint ... but hey, I saved $8.
Someone mentioned the timing gear cover ... That might be something to check. On my install, I inadvertently destroyed the timing cover on the 261 removing the harmonic balancer .... (Note: the bolts on the gear puller won't bottom out until after they've punctured the timing gear cover and hit the cam gear ...
so be careful with the puller.) So I ended up having to use the 216 cover anyway.
Ron -- Not an attorney, but I've worked with enough of them over the years
If you have a 261 out of the '54 mold, you've hit the home run. Keep the 216 in the truck and do a rebuild on the 261. Should be fun with no pressure. Then when it's ready, do the swap. It helps to invite truck buddies over
-- especially ones who know more than you do about all of this (which is *all* of them in my case
. When you're done, you will be amazed at how much more driveable you've made your truck without going crazy with V-8's, IFS, automatic trannies, rear axle swaps, wheels and tires, blah blah blah. I did do the Juliano's 3-pt seltbelt kit in my truck, though
My gas tank is still in the cab and I'm happy with my multi-piece rims and bias plies (I *do* keep all of that in mind and drive conservatively while smoking my cigar
Oh, and did I mention my Huck Brakes?
work just fine, thank you. It's not a Corvette so I don't try to drive it like one.
By the way, here are my casting codes -- They had us going at first -- a '54 mold engine, built in '59 ...
Last image is my engine after reassembly with all the 216 goodies on it ready for the break in (but before final paint and installation in the truck). The only thing I don't like about this set up is that the 216 valve cover leaks and there's just not much you can do about it. Oh well.
