The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 engine questions

thanks to many responses, just got back with a 261 to put in my 48 tonner chevy pickup (i just love tonners, especially pickups). what i think i know - block # 3769925 is 58/62. captain bars in both spots, but back of block # is con 3 ?. casting date a36 ?, head 3835913 gm1 also ?, and transmission casting # is 591953 with date code of l83. spark plugs are not narrow like the 48 engine, so should be later.

Big question, what do i have? i have some literature about the stock remote filter system on this engine. from what i can tell, its not there. i have the filter canister from the 48 216. will this do? or do i need to get something special. there is a line running from the oil pressure (?) sender (left side) to a spot near top center on right side. help please, do not want to cause this ol beater to fail.

final note, i have had studebakers and internations, but this is my first chevy. been told that i am second owner, have had it for some years, and its not a garage queen. and on those 17 inch wheels, looks good and strong.

thank you in advance for any help, advice, or directions you might have. hokey

Checking a few websites, Here is what I found:

On Inliners.org show the year casting for your 261 block.

Checking this site: http://home.kc.rr.com/mtaylorhp/casting_numbers.htm It shows that you have a 1955 235 cylinder head.

Check out my 261 page on my webshots. It shows the ports for the full flow plumbing. Given the casting number of your block, you should have the same. As a result, your splash canister will not work. I would recommend adapting a spin on style unit for optimum filtration.

I will say this, once it is done, it is one sweet ride.

Hi Kent! Sweet is correct on your block. I too have a 261 with a "5913" head. It was originally on a 235 but will work just fine on your 261 unless you want to soup it up a bit with higher compression. Then you want an "848" head but really isn't necessary. The 261 has plenty of torque and power with the 235 head.
You should have ports for a full flow oil filter and there is plenty of data for that on this website by using the search menu. As well as Sweet's site, I have pics of the rebuild of my 261 on the site link below including the installation of a full flow remote oil filter.

The oil line you refer to is a modification that was done many times to bring oil up to the rocker arm assembly. Under your pushrod tube side plate, there should be an oil line (1/8" or so) that runs from the cam bearings up to a spot near the head. Sometimes this line would get clogged with crap and instead of taking the side cover off and cleaning it, a mechanic would run a line from the oil gauge port on the left side of the engine around to the right side of the engine and hook that up to a drip tube to lubricate the rocker arm assembly. Again, lots of info by using the search function.

Finally, is your tranny a three on the tree?

thanks sweet, will check your site out. do need all the help i can get.

hay geezer, thanks for the info. thinking that i will use the tranny from the 48. i was told the one on the 261 is a granny. what do you think, will the one from the 48 work. looks same to me. ps-looks like the owner a few back did some hack and back on the tran on the 261. cute pink shifter though.

hokey

checked out your site, but could not find the port pictures. will try again.

what great pictures. thanks. and was wondering about orange engine. now i know.

this summer, it will be on the road, and i just know that it will be sweet. thanks man.. hokey

Here is my '58 261 engine recently bought. Notice the absence of a filter. Here's the engine ID #.

Hey Cosmo, that engine is dirty, you'd better get to work!!

This is Geezer's 261. Notice the neat filter arrangement, also look to see how he drove the full filtration pin into the block to enable full flow filtration. This action MUST be done in order to effect full filtration, pin out or flush with block position, the engine filtration is in the bypass mode.

My '58 pin is flush with block, presently has no filter but can be with the above action taken. Hard to see, but the pin is OUT and obviously there is no filter, there is actually a pipe plug at the inlet, the other inlet/outlet has a fitting for the oil pressure line.

PS, geezer, engine's perfectly clean, outside of truck gets washed when it rains.

Cosmo, you're funny!! Look forward to hearing how you proceed on the 261. Make sure that you take lots of pics and keep us informed on how you are progressing.
Mike