The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop How hard of an engine swap?

Hi,

Just for future reference, does anyone have experience with swapping a 261 into a '52? I have currently a 235 from a '52 Chev car (not sure which model) in there now, but have been doing some research on my Grandfather's old '56 Pontiac that's just sitting on the farm and have found out that the 261 in there has the Corvette heads on it and supposedly is highly buildable. Not sure if I'm ever going to do this swap, but I figured I'd get some input and see how hard it would be if I decide to go this route.

Thanks,

Lorne

I am working on putting a 261 in my '50 right now. The main difficulty is shortening the water pump to fit behind the radiator. I got a junkyard pulley from an F-truck, around 68 or so, with part number C8AE-8A528-B. It has the same bolt pattern, belt, and shaft size as the stock 235/261 chevy pulley with 1-1/4" less dish. You can press the hub on the water pump to the right position and cut off the excess shaft. If you don't have a press you can rig one up with a bottle jack, a piece of pipe, and the frame of your truck.

If you want to keep the truck 6 volt or use the original 216 starter then you need to do something with the flywheel. The 261 will have a differant tooth count and diameter on the ring gear. I had a machine shop machine my 261 flywheel to accept the 216 ring gear and it turned out pretty good and cost me $50.

You can use whatever bell housing fits, since the 261 has the 216 style bolt pattern. The front motor mounts may need work depending on the year of engine you have. You can drill the front plate of the motor to match your old one, or get a '60-62 front plate because they went back to the 216- style plate. I was able to drop mine right in, since I have a '62 block.

Be sure to install the oil filter, since most 261's are full flow, but I don't know about canadian blocks.

You may also need to adjust your throttle linkage a bit. That's about it, it's pretty easy as far as engine swaps go.

FWIW ; I spent some time with my commercial F**d dealer trying to get a current P/N for that darned pulley - no luck but I bet it's still available under some P/N , I'll keep working on it

Even F**d engineering said ' no dice ' and they're pretty good about helping me find solutions to obsolete parts .

Next time I'm in the junkyard I am going to snag all the ones I can find then.

I have a 261 to go in my 52 COE and need to do same thing on pump. You can get shorter pumps, but all have smaller diam pulleys.
On that good **** part list, try Obsolete Parts place, need to call, not on line. You'll need the part number, as only way to look up if they have.
Maybe that's Obsolete **** Parts, cant recall. You'll have to go to some **** place on web to get the number, not sure where mine is. Another place called "Greens" has old parts and uses others on a big link around country and can find one on other members lists. Lotsa Help, huh?