VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 261 Chevy six, full flow oil

Hi, Can some one answer a question? I am rebuilding a Chevy 261 six. I have been told to drill the whole in the block for the oil to get to the filter faster? Can some one explain to me how this is done?? this is a 1954 Chevy 261 motor.

What would be the advantage of getting oil to the filter faster??

The optional oil filter for a 1954 261 was a simple by-pass type.The later 261's had a full flow filter that used much larger lines etc.The engine will run for ever with no filter if you change the oil-and the by-pass filter will do a good job-Unless your installing the engine in a dump truck and working it in the gravel pit I would not fool around with the stock oil and filtering system as it is perfectly adquate for passenger car and truck use.

He's talking about making the by-pass filter into full flow. I've heard of this before on 235s. I'll see if I can find some info.

I have seen that Info. on the other chat site.I still wouldn't fool around with the original oiling system.It functioned well as is.

OK, my understanding a 261 was a full flow motor already. Here is some info if you really need it. I personally just cap the lines and change it regularly.

http://www.inliners.org/tech/fullflow2.html
another one
http://www.stovebolt.com./techtips/full_pressure.htm

CLSSY56, the site you posted about MODIFYING a early 261 or a 235 for that matter, to increase flow thru the oil filter and also to increase the oil pressure? many at that site supports the idea that more pressure is always better, Which many of us believe is not necessarly a fact. The fact is that the "by-pass oil filtering" system used in the 235 and 261 engines of the era of 1954 is not really a low pressure lubrication system (Splash, squirt, and sling). The 261 and 235 engines of 1954 used bypass filtering, pressurized rods and mains and they did not suffer from mal-lubrication, the engine oil just needed to be changed more often, partly due to the oil breaking down and also being contaminated by dirt and fuel. The engines at the end of the 261 and 235 production did use "full- flow filters"

....."If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Hi all & I thank every one for your input. Thank you CLASSY56 for the web sites. I am sure I will find everything I need from these TEC TIPS.
I'm not sure what I am doing with this prodjuct but my plan is to first finish this 261 motor. Stock lower end, with a 235 head & fenton exsaust. I don't know which intake manufold I will want yet, I don't want to use the stock one barrow carb, but i'm not sure if I want a four barrow. two barrow or two twobarrow carbs. This will have a 4 speed overdrive automatic trans behind it. None of this is for hot roding, I just want a car that I will want to drive every day & go anyware I want with out getting run over on the free way. I do use a very good oil that doesn't brake down, Shaffer oil. It don't get better than this oil. I use all of there products in my rig's. I'm not a hot roder but due to a medical problem I must take this rout to enjoy my favoret thing in life. My Chevy's of the 30's / 40's. Thanks again...

just a suggestion... my first 56 had a 235 in it and I'd never go back... lifters were really noisy and from what I was told.... that was common.

CLASSY56: Yea solid lifters are very noisy & there is nothing that can be done that I know of except going to hydrolic lifters, & I can't do that either. But you must agree that there is no better sound than the sound of a chevy six going down the road. I have driven many of Chevys & I will always prefer a 235 & there is no difference between a 235 & 261 except piston size & better cooling in a 261, I feel. That is, if you use the 235 head with the extra cooling wholes drilled in the head. My 39 Master 85 is two clean to be doing all of these modifacions but, do to a medical reason I need some madifications, so as I see it, if I am going to do some modifacations I might as well do it all. I drive my 39 most every day, but I must admit that I am not the safest driver as long as I have a standard trans.
PS... I like your web site. I see that you realy like 56's as I do 48's & 39's. Have a good day...Darrell

I dunno... I like my 265 with glass packs hehehe the 235 I had were hydro lifters. As of 1955 on automatic transmissions, they used hydros. In 1956 all 235s had hydros.... didn't matter... still noisey.

Noise? from a hot water six valve tappets? I thought that was a design feature because the engine idles so smoooothly that is the only way one would know if it is running!....Besides with all of the explosions and other loud noises I have been exposed to I barely hear the 8 track tapes turned up to a normal level!



"Drive it like you stole it!"

:confused:You got an 8 track? I can't aford to update to one of those fancy tape players. I guess I will stick with my old 4 track till the price comes down on those fancy 8 tracks. :confused:

You know I once had a 48 Chevy that was so quiet when I came to a stop light that I had to put headers & 18" glasspacks on it just to make sure it was still running. Boy I sure loved that car, & all of the good times me & the girls had in it....Darrell