The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Replacing my 216 ... 235 or 261

Hello Everyone
I have a very nice 1953 3100, restored and is 100% stock, with the original numbers-matching 216. I am considering doing a few "improvements" to make my old truck more fun and reliable to drive. The 216 that is in it has always been problematic, and we have never actually rebuilt the engine. I have owned this truck for about 20 years, and it spends 99.9% of its time sitting under a cover in my garage. It spent its whole life in Las Vegas, and was completely rust free when we had it painted 20 years ago. Still looks great all waxed up.

I have been debating pulling the engine and having it and the transmission fully rebuilt, and I am thinking that a nice fresh rebuilt 261 with electronic ignition and a 3.55 rear end would be a wonderful upgrade. I know many of you have replaced your 216's with newer model 235's, so I am wondering what your experience has been and what you think may be my best option.

Also, do you have any recommendations on locating an engine besides ebay. I am going to start digging into this site more, and I am very familiar with old truck parts suppliers like Classic Parts, Jim Carter, and Patrick's in Arizona.

Just looking for more experienced Bolters to provide some input before I actually make a move. I love my old truck, but I would like to make it more friendly and reliable to drive.

I couldnt figure out how to get my picture under 300MG without snipping it, but I think you get a good idea of my truck....

I know of at least two 261's within 200 miles of you- - - -one of them in my shop waiting to be rebuilt, and another near Jackson Tennessee. They're not terribly hard to find, so don't get robbed by someone who demands a ridiculous price for one. Drop me a PM and I'll try to help you locate a good one to build up. The 261 engine/3.55 rear end combination will be a good choice, but if you're willing to convert to an open driveline instead of the current torque tube there might be several other options available to you.
Jerry

I'm a big fan of the torque monster 292. I've never paid more than $500 for a running engine complete.

I also had a 1953 1/2 ton. Just sold it yesterday but I had it for 12 years. I put in a 261 and changed the rears gears to 3.55. Got some new tires all around and she'll top out at 87 mph. I didn't do many other modifications, kept the 1 barrel Rochester, stock ignition, stock torque tube and brakes. I was always quite happy with it.

I am learning more about converting over to a 235 or 261, and the 261 has me very interested.

1. How difficult would it be to install a 292? How much modification? To my understanding, a 292 is a newer engine, same design as the 230 & 250, which I know would probably require a lot of modification to fit into a 1953.
2. How is the drive-ability with the 3.55 gears? Does it have trouble at low RPM's while driving?

A 292 is more of a project than an engine swap, but even a 261 is not a direct bolt-in (water pump).
The cost: a running 292, good enough not to require a rebuild, is far less expensive than rebuilding any 235/261.
How important is semi-original appearance?

I have the original 235 in my 54 1/2 ton but a T5 trans and 2.73 Nova rear end. Does well in flat land Indiana where I live but in the mountains in WVa and Va a little more shifting.

Panic -- Actually, if you find a 261 block from the 1954 mold, it *is* a direct bolt in as 1954 mold engines were designed for the '54 and 55 1st series trucks so the water pump is in the correct position for Advance Design trucks.

For the OP, I went from a 216 to a 261 and I couldn't be happier with it. Here's the Tech Tip we all worked on about this engine upgrade and rebuild

The 235 is a good upgrade, but a 261 is even better. And if you can find the earlier 261, it's a very easy install. As I did, you can even dress it up with the valve cover and distributor (if you're staying 6 volts, anyway) from your 216 and not very many people will even notice that it isn't actually the original engine (unless they know to look at the carb or the pushrod cover ). And you will find that some self-professed truck experts are fun to mess with at shows and cruise-ins. I even used my 216's bell housing and flywheel so I could keep it 6 volts.

And BTW, numbers matching is nice and all that, but it doesn't mean quite as much to the old truck community as it does to the muscle car crazies so feel free to turn your 216 into a boat anchor

Oh, but send your connecting rods to Jerry first

194-292 engines are about 3" longer than 235/261, so some work will be required to accommodate the extra length.

Ed

Thank you for your link as well. I actually talked to Jerry on the phone last night, wealth of knowledge. I will keep learning about this, and start looking to find a good 54-55 261 engine!

Given this truck's history and general condition, butchering it up to put a 3rd.-generation engine in it, even a 292, would be a hanging offense. I know where there is a high water pump 261 available for a reasonable price, about 100 miles from you. That would be "the best of all possible worlds", especially if it's dressed up to resemble a spray-oiler engine like John's is.



Edit: I just touched base with the guy near Jackson- - - -the early-casting 261 is still available, just waiting for me to go pick it up!
Jerry

How is John's dressed up as a low-pressure engine?
I guess a relocated water pump and maybe the older valve cover; but, what about the side cover?

Tim,

As stated above, my engine is out of the 1954 mold, so the water pump is in the correct/high position for an AD truck already and does not need the relocating plate. Other than that, the valve cover is the 216's (with the stud/acorn nuts) and I used my 216's distributor, as well as the road draft tube, bell housing, flywheel and 6-volt starter. Side cover is the 261's, which along with the big Rochester carb, is the big hint that all isn't as it may seem .

Also got the higher oil pressure guage for my gauge cluster.

With a little bit (OK- - - -a lot!) of tinkering, the tall side cover can be adapted to a full pressure 235 or 261. It's not really worth the effort, as Ray Charles could "see" the difference, given a few minutes to examined it closely.
Jerry

Sounds nice, John

Does the 216 distributor use/have the later gear?

Did you paint the engine green or yellow (261 colors) or 216 dark gray (blue/gray) or the high-pressure 235 lighter gray or ?

I'm not John, but I was there for the engine build. I'm not sure if the distributor gear got changed, but since the cam is a brand new Elgin 261/Corvette grind, it's probably a moot point. The paint job was the Detroit Diesel green, which is the same as the original 261 color, I believe.
Jerry

Oops.. forgot 'bout the 54, thanks.

I've got a 261 stashed away in storage, waiting for me to find the time to do the "Cadillac Stroker" job that brings it up close to 300 cubic inches. I've figured out a way to use the original 261 pistons with a little machining done to the tops of them, rather than search for those scarce and pricey Cadillac pistons. It won't produce the power of a beaned-up 292, but it can be quite a "sleeper" especially if it's disguised to resemble a 216.
Jerry