The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Two possible 261's

I have found what is possibly two 261's in central NC. One is in a 54 truck and the other is in a 57. The owner says both are straight six motors and he will sell for $150 ea but the buyer must pull them out. Other parts are also for sale. I want the 57 motor, but I can not pull them by myself. Is there anyone here within driving distance of central NC that is interested in the 54 motor, or other parts and would be willing to help. I have not looked at them, but can meet you some place and go see what he has.
These links are pics of the trucks.

http://s858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/jdaniel171/?action=view&current=1957.jpg

http://s858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/jdaniel171/?action=view&current=1954.jpg

Let me know here or by e-mail if you are interested.

Joe D.

I'd get a better look at that '54, it looks to me like a '53 of course I can't tell from the picture but it looks like flat glass.'54 had a one piece curved glass.

Here is an inside pic of the 54. looks one piece curved to me.

http://s858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/jdaniel171/?action=view&current=1954-2.jpg

Joe D.

Looks like it is a 1954 to 55.1 dash and windshield to me.I thought the door handles looked like 1947-1953 pull down type,hard to tell from the second picture.
I would run the engine numbers to make sure they are 261 engines.

I'm guessing they are 261's by the size of the trucks. They are about 100 miles from me and I was hoping some one in the forums would also be interested. I can't pull either engine by myself and don't want to invest too much time unless I know I can get some help. He is parting out the trucks and will also sell either for $600.

Casting codes.

More info.

If your heart is set on a 261 you'll want to be sure.

the motor that appears in the photobucket link is a 59-62 261 according to the casting numbers on the block. (3769925) 261 are getting hard to find and harder to afford. having the pair would be nice especially for that price. good luck

big ed

Probably not a safe bet. Both trucks could easily have been 235s originally.

If i lived closer to you and in fact the 1954 has a 261,i would take you up on this.
Run the casting numbers before you pull the engine,this way you know what you are buying.

The 261 in the photobucket pics is one I already have. It has a casting date of D3 3. But, I thought this might be a chance to grab another one at what seems a good price, depending on the condition and wanted to give some one else a chance at the other one. These trucks look big enough to have 261's, but I am not sure yet.

do the blocks have the unique "captains bars" cast into them? If so then 261's they are if not well you got 235's....

The casting codes are the best IDs for a 261 (the "captain's bars" were on at least one year of 235 blocks - 1954).

Learn something new everyday!
Before today I thought the captain's bars were the definitive answer on "is it a 261 or not?"

Thanks,
Grigg

Inside pics tell it all,guess I'll clean my glasses and look again.

Is the block casting number for this one, 3769925, with a date casting code D3 3.

Does that make this a 1963 block.

I think this block casting first appeared in 1959 with side mounts,
then in 1960-62 with a front center mount.

Oilrag, the 261 in my pics is an April 3, 1963 casting date. The head casting date is E221 and there are no numbers stamped on the pad by the distributor, so I am almost certain this was a factory replacement engine. This engine came out of a 55 school bus. The bell housing casting date is E315 and it is probably the original in the bus.

The '54 and '57 motors I was talking about are different motors.

Joe D.