VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Installing Engine in a 1950

I don't now have a 235 (54 and up) to replace the 216 in my 50 conv. The engine in the 50 needs rebuild and I have a NOS block. I do have a 261, however, and am wondering if installing the 261 would be any more difficult than installing a 235. If so, I'm going to get rid of the 261 and the NOS block and get a 235. It would be mated with a standard transmission and the 4:11 changed out with a 3:55 PG torque tube and gears.

I've always intended to install the 261 in the 50 thinking that to do so would make it trot right along.

Any advice in helping me make up my mind would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Charlie

The 54 261 will install exactly like your 235 for the 1949 - 1951 you can use the front plate off the early 235 . I would say yes the 261 with proper ignition, valves and carburation and dual exhaust will make the 50 Chevy trot. With the 3.55 rear end you would have a fine cruiser, even with a single original Rochester model B carb, 261 version.

THe front plate from an early 216 or 235 (they are the same) will not work on a 261 or a 1954 235 with Power Glide for that matter.
The cam lobes are too tall to pass through the cam hole in the front mounting plate for those models.
The better and easier way would be to drill the mount holes in the 261 front plate.

Gene is correct, My last change was in a 53 and had to drill the mount holes in the sides of the block for the side mounts. I just left the truck front plate on and it sits down into the 53 front crossmember and does not need to be bolted in to the crossmember, the same for a 52 up. My brother is mounting a 261 into a 53 sedan with a stick shift now. he had a machine shop drill and tap the mounting holes in the 261 block.

I have a question; would it be possible to install the 52 up side mounts on a 49 to 51 frame? I think the side mounts are maybe better than the front mounts.