The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How many C60's came with 235 engine?

I recently bought a 1961 C60 and have found that the engine code shows it's a 235 cubic inch engine.

One source I checked says that the standard engine for a C60 in 1961 was the 261, and the V8 upgrade (if that really was an upgrade :) ) was the 283.

I have assumed my truck has had the 261 replaced with the 235... but I keep running into other 1961 C60's being mentioned that say they've also got a 235. (maybe they haven't checked the number, and it's really a 261)?

Then, some parts suppliers show a 235 engine option for the 1961 C60, for what that's worth.

One forum member here had in his signature line that his 1961 C60 had a 235 in it.

My only guess, with the handful of 61 model C60's I'm seeing with 235's that either A) the 261's didn't hold out and the owners dropped the 235 in there... or B) many who think they have a 235 actually have a 261, or C) some of the 1961's ended up getting 235's instead of the standard 261 engine.

Dan

Hi Dan,

Sorry for the silence on this question -- I'm not sure, but it could be that no one here knows the answer. Production data is hard to find in a lot of cases -- we could probably find out how many C-60's were built by month, by location, but beyond that may be difficult. I do not think your Scenario A above is valid, though -- the 261 seems to have well withstood the test of time to become a highly sought after engine.

Maybe one of our resident gurus will tell us more. What else can you tell us about your truck? Any pictures you can share?

Thanks,
John

Hello, Dan,

You might as well first determine all you can about what you have: your 235.

Find and post all the codes shown here.

I assume you have checked out the GM/Chevrolet Specifications Manual for 1961, to see what engine was standard equipment, and what were the options?

I'll check it out, but, here it is - enjoy searching through it. As I dimly recall, the optional engines in that year might not be clear. I'll post what I find.

261 and 283 were standard engines, depending on the 60 series model. The S67 model had a 348 Workmaster special 8-cyl engine.

Thanks Tim

Thanks, all of you. I appreciate it.

I'll get some more pics when I get the truck back from the shop, they are (hopefully) fixing the high range gears in the 2 speed rear end.

The odometer shows 57k miles... and I believe that is original because of the rubber wear on the brake and clutch pedal. So yeah... surely the 261 if it had ever had one would have lasted at least that long... you'd think.

The engine number is 3769716 which crosses to a 235. The paint on the motor is the red/orange color, not dark green or gray, and there is not an oil filter on the engine (a clue maybe)?

I know GM would often allow the customer to spec a particular engine when ordering a truck or car (a fellow in my home town ordered a Nova in 69 with the 302 Z motor and got it, so the story goes)... but I can't imagine anyone special ordering the smaller motor for a heavy truck.

Maybe GM got to the end of the year model and didn't have enough 261's to finish the line... maybe(?) I've heard of such things happening, weird engines showing up in vehicles... some 390s ended up in some Ford pickups in the 70's in years that weren't supposed to have 390s (they should have been 360's or 400's).

So maybe it's that. It's a mystery, in any event. I do have the name of he owner before the guy I bought the truck from, so maybe I can find him and learn more.

Again, thanks for the help and suggestions.

Dan

Maybe a fleet option to reduce logistics? Introducing a new engine into a fleet comes with additional parts, new manuals, new training for mechanics etc.

That's when you wish these things could talk! In the 50+ years this thing has been around, who knows what may have all happened to it.

Post the engine and chassis serial numbers...they will help ID what you have.

Mike B

`When I get the truck back from the shop, I'll get some numbers... where are the chassis numbers?

The chassis number is the set of numbers riveted to the cab (not the GVW) and stamped on the front drivers side frame rail (they should be the same)...you might think of it as the VIN.

Mike B

I haven't been to the truck yet to get that chassis number, but I will. The 2 speed diff is getting repaired so it'll run in high gear.

I spoke to previous owner who had the truck from 2003 until 2015, he said 235 was the engine the truck had when he got it. He was told the truck had the original engine in it when he bought it (which of course may or may not be the case).

And I still find pretty much every parts supplier for the 1961 C60 is showing a 235 engine option. Considering that, and the fact that it's unlikely someone would have replaced a 261 with a 235 (rather than a V8 or another 261) it's looking like some of the C60's in 1961 must have come out with the little 235.

Checking Autozone's info, they show the 235 as an option in the C60 through 1963. And as mentioned, Advance, O'Reilly's and a source online called US Autoparts all show the 235 at the top of the pick list for the 1961 C60. So... it's strange that GM showed only 2 engine options for that truck in 1961.

I'll update with other info as I learn more.

Dan

When you post all the engine codes, we can better speculate on what you have as an engine.

The, we can all speculate based on your findings.

A lot of things can happen in over 50 years.

My 1954 Suburban had a replacement engine when I bought in 1971 (17 years). The Engine Serial Number was crudely ground off and replaced by the farmer that sold the Suburban to me.

10-4... when I get the truck back I'll post some more numbers.

The block number crosses to a 235... 3769716

I don't have the cylinder head number yet, but I'll get all that.

Thanks for the comments.

And you're right, lots of stuff can happen in 57 years. My truck may well have come out with the 261 and who knows (?) it could have blown and someone had the 235 on hand and dropped it in.

Dan