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| | | Forums66 Topics128,062 Posts1,055,854 Members48,428 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks 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!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 | when using a full flow oil filter on a 261 do you need to use more oil ? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | if you had no oil filter, then yes. If you had a bypass filter, then maybe, perhaps even a little less as some of the remote filters were kinda big. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | when using a full flow oil filter on a 261 do you need to use more oil ? Presumably you are referring to the GM full-flow oil filter assembly (58-63)? Use of any oil filter will require more oil than is needed without any filter. The 1959 GM full-flow oil filter does not drain out much when the engine is off (the inflow and outflow are both in the cap/cover). The 1959 Truck Owner's Manual says the engine has a 5 qt capacity and the Jobmaster (261) oil filter holds 2 qts. Most likely the capacity is approximately 5qt+2qt=7qt. I'd put in 6 qts at the next oil &filter change; then, run the engine;, then, stop the engine. After about 3-5 minutes, check the oil level. Add oil as needed, and then repeat from "run the engine;". | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | Agree with Tim. that's what my later 261 takes.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 | How do you take the oil canister apart ? do I just take the bottom bolt off ? and would it be ok to powdercoat the canister ? | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Yes, taking the bolt out will allow the canister to come off. You might have to jostle it a bit for it come off. don't forget to remove the gasket. Powdercating shouldn't hurt a thing. On a side note, you'll want to confirm which canister you have, as there was both a 1 quart and a 2 quart version. Seems that there is a discrepancy on 261 oil capacity, the owners manual says 2 quarts, as Tim has posted. But the shop manual says 1 quart. I have seen hoth styles on 261s, and have a 1 quart filter (PH141 element) from a '61 2 ton on my own truck.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Bill, Are you referring to a 1-qt full flow factory oil filter on a 1961 Jobmaster 261? 1961 and 1960 would have been the same 2-qt full-flow filter capacity. People have reported reported using a by-pass 1-qt filter on a 58-63 261. They had the "plug" in the inflow port in the block still in place (not yet moved out of the way for use of a full-flow filter. If possible, would you post a photo of the head and canister on our oil filter? | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Here's the filter that I'm using.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | That is the full-pressure head.
I'll check a cross reference on my filter cartridges.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Oil pressure line/sender in one hole.
I have no idea what the other hole might have been used for, but I use a second hole for a pressure switch for an electric automatic choke.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | On my 261, I have an oil line that goes to the top of the head on the passenger side of the engine. I couldn't think of a reason not to re-install it.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | That hole/line, Chris, feeds the rocker arms. It is usually plugged at the head. Pre 68 Dave will chime in, but my understanding is that line from the oil filter fitting at the block to that hole on the distributor side of the head was sometimes a quick fix for providing additional oil to the rocker arm.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 121 | Is the oil filter suppose to mount on the front or the back of the intake ? mine was mounted on the back of the intake . Could I put the filter in the back and still use the 3 on the tree ? I was looking at a friends truck today and it seems close . | | |
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