swapping 261 for a 350

muskegdon · Member

swapping 261 for a 350

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

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73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I'm a little out of my league on this one but I do know that the engine mounts are located ahead of the engine on the tri 5's for a V8 and I am not sure a 350 block is drilled and tapped for that since 350 would have been side mounted to the frames.

-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 8th of April 2010 07:31:17 PM

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

I've researched more about what's necessary to drop a 350 V8 and 350 Turbo transmission in our 57 Chevy Belair, but I have some additional questions. I know I will need to get... 1) Eckler's side motor mount kit (#18-02) 2) Eckler's rear transmission crossmember kit (#19-153) 3) Eckler's column shift linkage kit (#19-19) I'm going to buy a remanufactured motor from a local parts store and need to know what year I should order. Do I go with something that's in the 1960-1970 era? I really don't know how they differ from year to year, but I do know I want something with a 4 bolt main. The parts store told me I might have to order a truck engine because the ones they had listed for cars are all 2 bolt mains. Any ideas here? Same question for the tranny. What year? Last question...Is there a year motor that would have the bolt holes for both a front mount and side mount motor mount brackets? It would be nice to be able to mount up the front mount brackets to more easily align the side mount brackets on the front engine crossmember. Any thoughts here?

55Guy Guru \| Posts: 847 \| Joined: 08/07 Posted: 02/11/08 07:39 AM

57poncho · Uber Guru

You would have to change the motor mounts and the trans or bell housing. The bell housing on the v8 is larger.

Halfbreed · Addicted!

A stardard 1957 Chev V8 bellhousing will bolt to a 350 motor for most mid year motors ( 1968 -1995). This will then bolt to the stock side transmission mounts of your 1957. Use the same cluctch linkage. Front mounts that bolt to the front of the engine a available at most chevy suppliers for Tri- Five Chevs. Your radiator will work but use a long shaft water pump to get the fan closer to the radiator.

Now the best way to mount the motor/trans is by side engine mounts and a rear transmision mount. But you say this is a temporary swap.

I have a 1992 Chev Crate motor with a tame 295 HP and t-10 4-speed that works well for street use.

muskegdon · Member

Thanks guys, I noticed the 70 350 I have has the holes for the front mounts. My thoughts are that if I keep the H.P. down on the 350 and use a bellhousing for a tri five then maybe I should be okay...As I said, just will be just a temp arrangement until I get the 261 built. The reason I don't want to get to the 350 auto arrangements is then I need the engine mounts, tranny mount and a column to shift. The old girl is a 50,000 mile original and I'd kind like to keep it that way..but then I would like to drive it this year and just put new glass, suspension and maybe a paint job on her. Next year will be engine time.

It's been great hearing from Canuck Pontiac guys, and I'm sure glad I found this site. I'm off to the swap meets to find a bell housing, ....unless???

Don

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Why would you want to replace a wonderful engine with tons of class and character with a penny a dozen kind of and engine. Sure there is no denying that the small chev engine is one of the best motors ever built but it is as boring as boring itself. Think out of the box. Forget the belly button motor, stay with that fabulous work horse that has tons of character. George.

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

long stroke wrote:

Why would you want to replace a wonderful engine with tons of class and character with a penny a dozen kind of and engine. Sure there is no denying that the small chev engine is one of the best motors ever built but it is as boring as boring itself. Think out of the box. Forget the belly button motor, stay with that fabulous work horse that has tons of character. George.

longsroke, read back a few threads. He's just putting it temporay while 261 gets rebuilt

muskegdon · Member

Well, just to update everyone.."Ole Smokey" survived the summer around Strathmore and Calgary with it's 261..only used 1 gal of oil and 20 gal of gas....By the time I coverted the 350 to a manual application, bought a bell housing and installed a new exhaust system, it wan't worth the energy. Winter is a coming so maybe the 261 will get a rebuild....but first..my 49 Chevy 1/2 is getting rodded with the 350.. Thanks folks..and George, I totally agree with you. But, in the truck's case, the babbit bearinged 216 in the truck ain't worth it as the truck is already about 5 trucks to make one.

rrausch · Member

Ditto on keeping the old 261. I've got a 1959 Chevy 261 in my '53 Chevy and I love it. I'd never replace it with a V-8, but I do understand guys who do, it's just that I wouldn't.