The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 oil filter lines

I need to have new oil filter lines made for my 261 (bought it from a plumber who used flexible conduit). What size hose and fittings do I need to maintain the proper oil pressure? Thanks...Tom.

apache/cheyenne,

What year 261?
American/Canadian?
Truck/car engine?

Tim

It is a 1962 model U.S chev truck 261; didn't know it mattered. It has a relatively tall remote oil filter, and I think the fittings on the block are 3/4".

apache/cheyenne,

The oil line holes on a '58-'62 261 truck engine are 1/2" NPT (the holes are about 3/4" diameter). This is a full-flow oil filtration system. The earlier systems had smaller lines and were called a "bypass flow" oil filtration system (I think only about 20% of the oil was bypassed to go through the filter).

Do you have the original canister with a cartridge oil filter (with cast aluminum cap/head) or an after-market head with modern spin-on filter?

By the way, there is no need to go overboard with high pressure lines - lines that will handle 120-150 psi should be plenty strong (this is not cutting corners and is less expensive than high-pressure hydraulic-pump-type lines). The main problem with the lines is that they are near the exhaust pipe(s). I understand that the original lines had short (6"-8") metal standoff tubes near the block that transitioned to a flexible line.

Tim

Tim,

That's exactly what I was looking for. This engine still has the old cartridge type oil filter. When I first saw the oil lines I thought they has boogered up the block for more oil flow to the filter, and it does still have a steel hard line from one of the fittings. The engine runs strong, and I ran the numbers and found out it is a 261. Date code: F 15 2, and block code 3769717. Thank you.

Tom.

I forgot...What's the ID and OD of the hose I need or is it all the same with the 1/2" NPT fittings! Thanks...Tom.

Whatever size line works with your fittings.
How/where will you be hooking up your oil pressure line.

Tim

Tim, Can you get oil lines for the 261 that have braided metal mesh on the outside for protection?

Tim,
I am going through the same thing on the 59-261 I am putting in a 51-3100. The original installation on the manifold won't work in the 1/2 ton due to the spatial constraints of the large filter and the steering box. There is enough space on the firewall directly above the steering column to mount the filter housing with clearance to remove the canister when changing the filter.
The original lines that came with the engine had a fitting with the 1/2 NPT as mentioned on one end with a female flare fitting that the metal part of the line screwed into. One of these special fittings had a 1/8 NPT tap in the side for the oil pressure line. The metal line was joined to a flexible pressure hose by means of a special soldered fitting crimped onto the hydraulic hose. The filter end of the hose has a fitting that is crimped onto the flex hose and then has another flare fitting which mounts onto the flared elbows mounted within the aluminum housing.
I have a fenton dual manifold installed and there is enough clearance for the oil lines but since they are running very close to the exhaust, they need to be metal up past the point where heat generated by the exhaust pipes will not do any damage to the flex hose.
I took pics of how I wanted the lines bent to a shop who specializes in all sorts of hydraulic fittings and lines. I can e-mail them if you want to see how I am setting it up. There are slightly different fittings available now that may improve the looks of your new set-up. Use of SS lines from the engine enable you to polish them up before installation, and the externally braided lines for the flex part are also SS. This would be nice to complement the braided rad/heater hose kits that are available.
Another note about the filter canister- it should hold a AC PF 141 filter. This may be an added benefit if you want to spruce up the engine compartment even further. This is the same filter set up used on many SB chevys before the spin-on filters were introduced and you can find chrome ones at swap meets cheap if you look or possibly from JEGS and others.

Allan, I also have a late model 261, which is in need of new oil lines. It does have the full-flow oil filtration system. I would be interested in seeing pictures of your setup and any leads as to where to find these replacement lines. I am planning to get Fenton headers some time down the road, so should I relocate the oil filter canister on the firewall at this time. How long did you have to make these new oil lines to be able to move the oil filter canister to the firewall? Thanks.

Cujo,I live close by in Webster. Drive down Lake Rd towards Webster,just before Basket Rd is our place,Old white house, two flags flying.The 45 and 52 Chevy flatbeds are in the tractor shed right on the corner, have two 261 powered pu trucks,you can check out the full flow filters and have a cup of coffee.