The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 ???

I bought what I beleived is a 261 engine. The casting number as run though inliners says it was made in 54-55. It has the captains bars on it and everything about it appaers to be a 261. The problem is nothing I've ordered for it fits this 261. Every time we've order things like water and oil pumps, the right parts aren't right. What ended up doing was ordering every oil and water pump that was currently out there at NAPA, putting them on the counter and picking out the one that was right. Strangly all the parts seems to fit a 53-54 235, at least by the books. This is really driving me nuts. Were there any 235 made that might have had captians bar on them. Also I noticed that this block has the places cast on it for side mounts, but they were never drilled or tapped out. i would like to get to the bottom of this.

Go to the General Truck Talk section under the topic 235 or 261? This should help answer your questions. Yes some of the early 235's had "Captin Bars".

There were a few 235s with captains bars.

If the casting number says 261 at inliners its a 261 If you have a 54-55 261, then you need 54-55 261 parts which are different than 55-62 parts.

Just like a 54-55 235 is different from a 55-62 235.

For our trucks, you've got the best one. You can use the 54 water pump

Thank god someone understands this, i thought i was going crazy with some kind of old age thing. These first yr 261 motors must not be real popual with the part guys. On the good side at least i'm getting parts that fit, just not what i thought they would be. Ones that fit also seem to cost more.

The 1953 Power Glide engine is the only 235 to have "Captain's Bars". It was the first full pressure 235. I believe the captain's bars on this engine were used to distinguish it from the stick transmission engine, which was a splash engine.

The 54-55.1 stuff is expensive, but it fits nicely into our trucks. I guess now have to stop and look at that 54 dual axle farm truck that has a 4 sale sign in it in hopes it has an early 261.