The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Need help finding right oil pan gasket, 235?

I just bought a 1951 3100 with supposedly a 235 in it. I pulled the pan to have a look around, ordered new gasket from oreilley (OS5041c) and its clearly not what i took off the truck, and clearly doesnt fit.

Trying to post a pic. Not sure if its posting.

You're going to have to verify what engine you actually have.

Take a picture of the numbers stamped on the boss between the starter and distributor. Take pictures of the engine stamping letters and number on the side of the block by the fuel pump. Post them here.

327amc,

First off, Welcome to Stovebolt!

Your picture posted just fine. It doesn't actually display until you complete the post process (doesn't show in the "preview" mode).

Otto's suggestion about providing pictures and details about your engine will help confirm what you actually have.

That being said, the part number you noted does match up to a 1951 235 (and 216 as well), but appears to be just the plain cork gasket set currently available from every vendor I could find on the web.

I tried searching to see if I could find a vendor that offers the set with the formed neoprene end gasket pieces (like the ones in your picture), but found none currently available. Other vendors may have gaskets that have a better form/shape, but all seem to be the very same thing you have from your vendor. It may have been poorly handled/stored to cause it to deform from its original shape.

The cork gasket material does provide some flexibility to mold to the engine block and pan sealing surfaces, but will need some gasket adhesive to keep the needed shape and placement when you reinstall the pan.

AM sure that others will come along and chime in with more information as they can.

Dan

Looks like a 235 oil pan gasket to me. Here's an image of one I promise is for the 235...11 holes on each side, maybe spaced 2.5" apart or so, tabs cut in the end pieces. I didn't include an image of the end pieces, but yours look correct. You don't see the molded rubber ones much todday. Maybe if you just post a digital image of your engine we could tell you more.

Thanks for the help. I searched 56' oil pan gaskets and they look like a match. So im guessing this is a later engine.

That casting number decodes as a 1960-62 261, not a 235. Big score!!!

Please take and post a picture of the stamped serial number pad directly behind the distributor so we can help confirm what you have.

Dan

Looks like it might be. I think the 55-62 235 and 261 oil pan gaskets were the same, weren't they? GM showed the same part number.

327amc,

Must be a bitter disappointment to learn that your 235 is actually a 261. The extra cubes means more fuel consumption and finding parts will surely be a hassle. I will take it off your hands and find a suitable place in the fence row for that boat-anchor of an engine.

There was a change in the oil pan later in the years of the 235 and likely the 261. The later ones have a bulge on one side to accomodate for a larger oil pump (i think).

Thanks for the input. Theres no serial on the pad. Looks to be blank. Im gonna try 56' 235 gaskets today and i'll report back.

Heres head casting #

327amc,

The head casting number also confirms it's a 261 (same casting number used from 1956-1962). On the note you indicated there is not stamped serial number on the machined pad behind the distributor, that is a good indicator that what you have is probably a service replacement engine. They were sold without any serial# stampings.

As 52Carl mentioned above, the 261 does have a slight bump out on the pan gasket set not found in the earlier 216/235 engines. Jon G is also correct that the later 235 and 261 engines used the same part number.

If you take a look at these 3 different vendor ads (and the pictured gasket sets) you can see these sets much more closely match your removed set. 2 of the 3 actually show the same neoprene end pan gaskets pieces.

Jim Carter 261 pan gasket set

The Filling Station 261 pan gasket set

Egge Machine Company 261 pan gasket set

These are just 3 of our usual vendors that popped up in my search for the 261 oil pan gasket set. Your note that you will purchase a '56 235 set should be just what you need to fill the need.

Let us know how you parts search turns out.

Dan

Great info. Thank you. Its odd that the last 2 owners of this truck never new the actual engine that is in it lol.

The 56' 235 set did indeed fit. I ordered them from Oreilley late at night so they would have them next morning.

The straight oil pan rail on the passenger's side uses a gasket that fits 216 engines, 1941-53 235 spray oilers, and early full pressure 235's from 1954 to mid-year 1955. The late 55 to 62 235 and 261 engines had a dogleg in the pan rail to clear a Melling M-45 oil pump or the GM equivalent. That pump has bigger gears and moves a higher volume than the earlier pump.
Jerry

Now i need to learn how to tune this carb. But first need to learn WHICH carb it is. Im assuming that my trucks 48'-51 shop manual doesnt reference the carb that is on this 261?

Well it just occurred to me, lol since i had thought this engine was a 235, i ordered plugs and wires for a 235. And that is now whats on this 261.

I dont know if these plug wires are gonna work out. The ones i took off the truck had 0.8K resistance. The new ones have 4.5k resistance.

Spark plugs are the same for both engines.

Spark plug wires have different part numbers so best order some for your actual engine.

RF signal suppression plug wires can have up to 1 K ohm per inch. Use what you've got- - - -the engine won't know, or care as long as the wires reach from the distributor to all the spark plugs.
Jerry