The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 complete gaskets set needed...

Rebuilding my old 261 (1961 with 848 head) needing a quality complete gasket set. Anybody have some part numbers or sources. I like RockAuto.com but want to get at least a quality head gasket.

Rockauto has Fel-Pro head gaskets and head gasket sets and other engine gaskets for a 1961 261. They are also available from NAPA.

Best Gasket products are also good.

Patricks Antique cars and Trucks P.O.Box 10648 Casa Grande, AZ.85130 Phone#:(520)836-1117 They list their gaskets by the piece,but i'm sure they'll work with you. here's some part #'s and prices: head gasket: part#-639SA=34.95 Int/exh. set part#11054=10.95 oil pan gasket (trk)27019=11.95 oil pan rope seal('54-55) #6100=19.95 Rear main seal (rubber) 45195=27.95 timing cover gasket GS11075 14.95 Pushrod cover 26013E 8.96 valve cover set 27018E=16.49Hope this helps. Call them and ask for catalog-You'll be GLAD you did.

Thanks guys. I'm planning to give Patrick a call Monday anyway for his short water pump/pulley set up. My real question I guess is which head gasket is the best, see a couple part nos. for Felpro one $21 other $28 and I'm sure there are others. Not pinching pennys here just don't want to make a mistake with the crapy part. The way my luck usually goes, a month after the install, I read an article on how bad the part is that I just used.

You might want to consider buying a water pump relocation plate that puts an older water pump in the correct orientation with your older truck's radiator.

This adapter plate is discussed at least twice month (twice a week?).

I have a 261 in my 45 Army truck and chose not to move the pump. there is plenty of room still between the fan and radiator but I did have to trim just a little bit of the lower fan shroud. Although the fan sits a bit lower than the old 235 fan the temp gauge does not go past 180 degrees even when it's 100' out. It took a lot of measuremnts before doing it and finding that it would work and saved the time and expense of doing the adapter plate.The gamble was the overheating issue but that never manifested its self. The thing I liked best about leaving it stock was not having to mix and match pulleys to get my fan and alternator to run at the right speed.

-Mike-

I've had this set up with short shaft pump for many years and also have an electric fan out front at top. Just replacing pump after over twenty years of service and with this head issue it deserves a new pump. This fan combo works great even with AC that been in there a couple years now. Radiator is the thick one out of a 2 ton parts truck.

Here a few pics of my AC job.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/572990479GSNMms