The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Which IFS for a 261 in '56 Chevy?

I'm thinking about replacing my straight axle with an IFS, but in reading past posts there appears to be a problem with the cross member clearing the front of the pan of an inline six. I know from putting a 261 in a '55 sedan this summer that the front of the pan on a 235 is not as deep as on a 261.

TCI is the only manufacturer that specifically states that it is for V-8 applications only.

Help, please.

I'm still looking for a little input, please. Anybody put in ifs on a '55-'57 with an inline 6?

Arch I don't know the answer to your question, and don't spend enough time with Task Force trucks to know the ins and outs. But I'd suggest you can either use a 235 pan and oil pickup, or modify the pan and the oil pickup on the 261 if needed to make it fit.

Maybe someone knows different, but unless someone else has tried it you may be on your own figuring this one out.

I'm currently putting a Cadillac 500 in a '54 GMC and since not many have done it, finding answers based on experience is a little tough...

It seems to me that the oil pan clearance problems with most of the aftermarket IFS systems are ther result of the ridiculous amount of lowering that's built into most of them. If you use a stock setup like the Camaro/Nova subframe or a narrowed real truck suspension, you're not likely to encounter the same set of problems. The IFS system I have planned for my 59 Burb is going to be a late-70's 3/4 ton setup with disc brakes, narrowed if necessary to fit the 59 frame. I've already got a GMC Dana 60 rear end under the truck, and I'm planning on a 500 Cad/Turbo 400 drivetrain. It depends on whether you're keeping the rig for use as a truck, or building some sort of lowrider Cowboy Cadillac resto-rod.
Jerry