4ontheFloor,

Tony's answer was good and he will most likely respond to your followup. I hope you do not mind my 2-cents worth.

1. Will you be using the starter/generator from the '62. If so, you do not have to swap out the clutch-assembly and flywheel. If you want the foot start and 216 starter, Tony's advice is, of course, good. I do not think there is a "ring gear" on the '62 261's flywheel (there is not one on my '60 261).

2. Are you sure the extra hose fittings on the 261 thermostat housing were for "recirculation"? I thought they were take-offs for a second heater (and are nice for use with a heated intake). The 261 thermostat has a hole in it to allow a little circulation at all times.

This summer I changed my 261's thermostat housing as Tony suggested. Now I can use standard hoses and thermostats. In addition, the 235 housing does not interfere with "dress-up" valve covers (the 261's thermostat housing must be "trimmed" for Wayne-style valve covers). The top/bottom of the 235 and 261 housings are both different.