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

I'm swapping out my 261 (spun bearing)for a mild built 283 and want to retain origional look as possible. I know i'll need a small block bellhousing and flywheel but will i be able to keep foot starter,generator,starter,radiator, etc.? I'm getting everything together now and need as much info as possible....thanks for any advice!

What year truck are you working with? You'll need a different starter, along with a different ignition switch and some minor rewiring. Stomp start was not an option on the V-8's. Depending on the year, you'll need one of a couple of different styles of front motor mounts. I believe the radiator can be re-used, but there might be some problems with hose routing. You'll also need to buy or build a fan shroud because of the distance from the radiator to the engine. IM me or send an email- - - -I might have some of the swap parts you'll need from my 59 Burb that's getting a Cadillac 500 transplant and your 261 is good horsetrading material, even with a bad crankshaft.
Jerry

No to the foot starter. Yes on the generator. Radiator can stay so long as it is in good shape. May need a fan shroud for it to cool right.

my rig is a '59 Chev Apache 36....has had a "frame on" restoration and it attends a bunch of car shows each summer. It retains 90% of it origional look and i want to keep as much as possible. Thanks for the info guys....i'm moving along w/ the 283 and all thats involved w/ the transplant. I saw a v8 truck rad shroud on Ebay last summer(should have purchased) for $50.....i'll start looking for the parts before i start in. thanks again!

Several people have used the foot starter floor button by adapting a contact switch under it that goes to the V8 solenoid. It can be used with the original ignition switch so the look and essential functions are retained. I have not made this conversion but I certain someone here has and can advise you more properly.

that was my plan also....just to keep as much origional loking as possible.

You can always mount a tractor switch where the floor button is now. But not sure how you would adapt the pedal from the six to mount it.

I would just get a heavy duty starter switch for a tractor and mount it where the stater pedal goes and keep on trucking.

An original V8 truck wouldn't have a foot starter switch.

Also an original V8 truck has the radiator mounted further aft.

I replaced a 261 with a 283 in my 1957 TF. All the suggestions provided earlier proved true for me. I did change from a generator to an alternator. I didn't move my radiator back, but did install a fan shroud. So far that seems to work. Also, I believe the V8 had a different ignition switch to accommodate the lack of a foot starter. At least I installed a different one which according to the catalog was for a V8, and it is different than the original I6 switch. I used the original lock insert. I used a tubular "under the engine" cross-member which I happened to have on hand. You can get them fairly easily. Then I used the stock 283 side engine mounts, since my 283 was newer and didn't have the holes drilled for the stock front mounting. Also, you will need the carb linkage for a V8, you buy those also without problem.