We have a 1946 Chevy 1/2 ton with a 1942 235 that is siezed. We purchased a 1961 261. What do I have to do to install the 261? I know I have to swap the bellhousing and drill the holes for the front mount. Any other advice on what I need to do. I think that will be the next project before wiring.
My '46 PU, running 1961 261 with 46 bell housing with adaptor to T-5 trans. Can swap 216 front mounting plate if you want or drill it to match. Most importantly is the 261 water pump will not clear the radiator, I'll attach a link to an adaptor plate that solves that problem. 261s of your year have LARGE 1/2" oil line and divertor pin that directs the oil. This is a major issue as if you get it wrong you will burn up your engine. If the plug is OUT you can run without a filter, make sure you get this correct. I'll attach a photo of the side of a 261 and the adaptor for the water pump set up.
The engine in your photo is set up for a bypass type oil filter, so that problem should be solved already. You'll need a 216 style water pump- - - -not sure if the one off your early style 235 will fit or not. The adapter plate allows the shorter pump with the higher mounting position to clear the radiator, and also aligns the fan vertically correctly with the 46 radiator. The 46 bellhousing, clutch, and flywheel should be a bolt-on swap to the 261. If you're still running the non-synchronized "crash box" transmission, be aware that the 261 will have a lot more torque than it's designed to handle, so don't get frisky and do any burnouts with your new-found power! Jerry
Edit: The stand that engine is mounted on with the engine projecting past the front wheels is a disaster waiting to happen- - - - -please add some kind of support to the front to keep it from tipping over forward.
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Also, send another photo that shows lower on the block below the manifolds. It appears that the filter you have is the bypass type (small oil lines), factory filter lines for full flow were 1/2", photo will help to see if the diverter pin is in or out.
Last edited by JiMerit Boltr#43; 09/05/202111:39 PM.
Also, send another photo that shows lower on the block below the manifolds. It appears that the filter you have is the bypass type (small oil lines), factory filter lines for full flow were 1/2", photo will help to see if the diverter pin is in or out.
Here are the pictures you asked for. Lincoln Thank you I will.
OK- - -the diverter pin is in the "out" position, meaning that the engine is set up for "bypass" filtering- - - -a small volume of oil is diverted through a restrictor orfice and filtered, then it drains back into the oil pan. The majority of the oil goes to the engine to lubricate and cool it. Eventually, all the oil gets filtrered, and the filtration is actually more effective than running a large volume of oil quickly through filter media that's open-weave enough to pass enough volume to lube the engine. Some industrial engines run both full-flow and bypass filters. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Jerry so I am good to install this engine with a 216 water pump with an adapter and a 216 or 235 bellhousing? If I can get the front mount off the old 216 or drill new holes on the 261. We took the head off the old 216 this weekend and the water pump looked pretty trashed. Thank you both for all the help.
I'm pretty sure the 46 bellhousing is a direct bolt-up to the 261, which will also handle the clutch and brake pedal linkage, etc. Just adapt the front mount however you need to, and don't get too rowdy with that crash box transmission- - - -the 261 has enough torque to give it a real workout! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
