The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
Help is a click away!

VEHICLE
INFORMATION
KITS


at the

GM Heritage Center
All the details are here.

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
2 members (Gray_Ghost, 1 invisible), 179 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,109
Posts1,056,269
Members48,439
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
Over 6,000 pictures

Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips.

Check them out!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#447640 08/31/2008 10:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 24
M
mj
Offline
New Guy
New Guy
M Offline
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 24
WILL A HEAD OFF A 261 MOTOR(1954), WORK ON A 235 MOTOR(1955-1957)
HEAD NUMBERS= 3
499
CON 12 H282
3835499
GM4

ENGINE NUMBERS= 2 004
CON4 J265 3837004
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY IN ADVANCE. MJ


mj #447655 08/31/2008 11:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
What is the block casting number of your 261 motor?

The head casting number is for a 50-52 216.


Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 388
H
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
H Offline
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 388
Here is a comparison of a 235 and 261 head, from the famous Racer Brown/Frank McGurk article in the May 1955 HRM. I have put a couple of 235 heads on 261 blocks, so one should be able to put a 261 head on a 235. There will be a loss in compression ratio, as the combustion chamber volume of the 261 head is larger than that of just about any 235 head. You will need to use a 261 head gasket. All this assumes that you have a 261 head. The steam holes will tell for sure.

Hoyt

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
First, it would be advantageous to determine the years of your head and block.

- The head date casting codes might be found on the top of the head, between the 4th and 5th cylinders' valve springs. (manifolds side of the head)

- The block casting ose might be found on the lower left of the starter side of the block.

- The engine ID is pressed into the block in the ledge/boss to the left of where the distributor enters the block,

As Hoyt stated, a 261 head and 235 block will bolt together, if they have the correct bolt pattern. Do they both have 18 head-bolt holes? If either has 15 holes, they will not bolt together and you are mistaken regarding the year of manufacture.

Even if you have 18 bolt head and block, it is not necessarily a "perfect match". They will bolt together, but you might have to make an adaptation to arrange for block oil to reach the rocker arms. ( see this discussion )


Moderated by  Phak1, Woogeroo 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0