The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Doing the 261/350 engine swap during next summer vacation

Just ordering some parts for the engine swap:

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-Original-V-8-Conversion-Set/productinfo/79-375/#.VwsmIkcStdB

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-72-Clutch-Fork-Boot/productinfo/90-525/#.VwsnQ0cStdB

http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-56-57-58...ries&hash=item19e5e9cb8c&vxp=mtr

But I am not sure about the starter and flywheel.
I'd like to use the standard foot starter. Can I use the same starter or apply the foot starter push parts ontop of the old one and put it on any standard 350 starter ?

I will try to use the standard clutch from the 261.
But which flywheel shall I use ? The one on the 261 ?

So I'd like to know if there are any major parts I will need except for the ones above ?

Also want to know if the vacuum pipes and the vacuum block on the firewall will clear a 261/350 swap, or do I have to move that ?

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/...ing%20remove%20and%20fix/20110416178.jpg

Hy lastchancetowing, unfortunately there are no foot starters for the V8s that I have ever seen. You will not be able to use the flywheel from the 261 on the V8, but with the correct flywheel you should be able to swap the clutch. Some of the 350 engines have a harmonic balancer that is too large to use the stock engine front mounts, the block mounts can be modified to clear this larger balancer or a hotrod tubular crossmember can be used to mount the engine using the engines block side mounts. Another kit that you might want to purchase is for the V8 throttle linkage. Also you may want to purchase a key start ignition switch, you could use the switch you have now and install a push button for the start function, hope that helps.

3B,

Here is the clutch housing he is proposing to use.
Here is a larger photo of the proposed clutch housing.

Make sure your new V8 has short valve covers. Tall covers will not fit without modifying the firewall.

The Rams Horn exhaust manifolds work well, there are no steering box conflicts when they are used.

You will need a deep fan shroud or install an electric fan on the radiator.

Mike B

Hy tclederman, That bellhousing should be fine, actually that looks like it has the small correct size opening for the throwout arm.

Can someone provide the information about what flywheel to use ?
A starter for that can I find hre no problems, a flywheel too.
But it needs to fit the 261 clutch and the 350 engine.

This is going to be fun !!

I will keep the 261 engine for future use.

Hy lastchancetowing, first we would need to know the size of the clutch your 261 has on it now, it would have to be one with 168? teeth (I can never remember the tooth count on the flywheels)

Glad to know my brother inlaw has several flywheels from 350/400 engines, both 168 or is it 156 ?

So I will be fine I hope

Hy lastchancetowing, 350 engines are internally balanced and 400 engines are externally balanced engines, so you must use a flywheel from a 350 engine on a 350. 400 engine flywheels have a weighted area on their backside so they are somewhat easy to identify, hope that helps.

Here's something to watch out for as engine swaps may have happened over the years. Depending on the year model, many of the 1-ton and bigger trucks used a 10-3/4" clutch with a 9-bolt cover. The covers are no longer available and you'll have to have it rebuilt locally. You would not want to use one on a V8.

The clutch disc for both is the standard GM 10-spline but for the 6-cylinder the torsional springs are lighter than the V8. So you'll want to use a V8 disc. If by some chance, you have the 9-bolt cover, it will not work on the V8 flywheel unless you have the flywheel re-drilled. But then you'll have an obsolete clutch to deal with. So just use the V8 clutch. It'll mate with the SM420 trans just fine.

A

Thanks Tommy, good to know.

Just bought myself a good running 283 from 1966.
Will pick it up tomorrow.

Can I use this clutch and mate it with the SM420 ?

https://www.summitracing.com/int/pa...e/chevrolet/model/c10-pickup?prefilter=1

The bellhousing is:

Chevrolet Truck Cast Iron Bellhousing, casting #: 3836923.

If you're looking for more torque, the 283 is going to disappoint you. That 3 inch stroke has to be kept in the high RPM ranges to develop the horsepower it's rated for and once the engine lugs down even a little, the performance suffers. The 350 has nearly half an inch more stroke and the difference is very noticeable.
Jerry

I know, but I got it cheap.