The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Could this be a 261?

Not sure that these pictures are enough to tell if it's a 235 or 261. Looks like Captains bars over the starter. Can't see if there are bars under the manifolds. Casting numbers were covered with grunge and stuff. Looks like external oil line loop which would be on a 261. The truck is pre 54 but the motor could have been changed.

http://1drv.ms/N5tvhG


The wrecker is a 48....working on a deal. The yellow Chey, maybe a 2 ton 55? Couldn't get to it. 1965? 4x4 nobody home. Yes, I'm going back!

You will need to get down to the numbers, some 235s had captains bars too. Odds are it's a 261 but get the casting number and the one stamped next to distributor. It is later than the truck it's in, see the three holes next to exhaust, those were later mounts. Late 261s had 1/2 npt holes for oil filter lines. Good luck

If the next picture from the other side is the same engine, than it is a 1958 or later engine(it has 1958-62 side mount provisions). The only engines with captains bars after 1953 are 261. That would make this a 261.

Yes, all of the engine pictures are of the same engine. Sounds encouraging. I'll take some stuff to clean up the numbers when I go back next week. Thanks for your help.

Greg

Goob, the external oil line in your photo is not an identifier of a 261.

The only oil line/fitting characteristic that would ID/confirm a 58-63 261, would be 1/2" NPT oil line ports on the block.

Earlier 235/261 blocks would have similarly-looking by-pass oil filtration holes/lines. That line shown in your photo appears to be a small diameter line. It would also be a "cob-job fix" after removing the optional by-pass oil filter and lines.

Be good to clean the block area where the pipe connection goes in. But after blowing it up a little on my laptop it looks like it is 1/2 pipe connection going into the block, and that the pipe is copper tubing bent to complete the circuit.

If so someone may have bypassed a filter assembly and ran the pipe (tubing) to make sure the oil would flow.

But a good wires brush cleaning that connection so it could be seen better would help. Perhaps a closer picture too once it's cleaned a little.

Maybe some numbers off the block as someone else suggested would help too.

If it does have the 1/2 threads don't run it without that connection between the two ports. There is a dowel pin that is pressed into the oil galley to block the flow out to the filter, then through the filter, back to the block. If you eliminate the filter as shown in the picture, you need to have that jumper run between the two ports.

Goob,

Here are locations of codes that will help ID the block head.

Post the codes here and people will help you interpret the codes.

It looks like a car engine. It has bosses for side motor mounts on it.

I don't think the 261 ever has side mounts, did it?

It looks like it has the side mount provisions but un drilled. This is common with truck engines.

Found one !

http://1drv.ms/NCEtM0

Now if I can get the guy to sell the motor at a reasonable price. This guy is all eaten up with Folklore and thinks he has something as valuable as a 426 Hemi.

I don't think any 6 cylinder is as valuable as a 426 Hemi or any other engine for that matter.

I did see a Ford 427 Cammer go for 40K at a Vanderbrink auction. You never know.

When I was the team machinist for a truck puller who ran MOPAR hemi engines I saw him offer $5K for a bare block with a standard bore and no measureable wear in the cylinders. The owner turned the offer down! Shortly after that Chrysler started producing replica hemi blocks with a big "R" cast into the sides of the engine to prevent forgeries. The price for a bare block was $5500.00!
Jerry

Well I was exaggerating a bit. OK a lot. He wants 1500 for it and I have to haul off the big rat infested turd it's in. That'll cost another 300. 1800 for a 261 that I'm going to tear down is just way too much. I hoping to get into one for 600 or less. Ya never know.... All I really need is a block.

Yep, pass that one by! They're really not all that scarce! Lots of school buses ran the 261, along with most of the bigger trucks from the mid-50's to 62 or so. I made an even-up swap for my running-condition 261 with a rusted-out 1959 3800 1-ton with a bad cylinder head that had been sitting in a fencerow on my place for 10 years. I was glad to get rid of it!
Jerry

I don't know what scrap metal prices are, but you might be alright, by scrapping the "rat infested turd" Tow it home, pull engine, haul it to chipper.