261 oiling question

[Toby Hines]

I picked up a 58 fleet with a 56 261 in it. It has no oil filter canister and it doesnt have the tapped 3/4 oil line holes in block. Is it correct to not have the oilfilter canister like the 235's do?

[Apachemike]

Oil filters were an option on the 235. My guess is it is the same for the 261 but don't quote me on that

[MitchFloyd]

When I was researching my 235 I6 rebuild. I came across this about the 261 engines.
Also, stovebolt has some good info as well.

http://1954advance-design.com/Web%20...gine/index.htm



The stock remote filter system has two very visible 3/4" lines threaded into the block. One is from the pump to the filter and the other from the filter back to the block. Oil must leave and return to the engine by these lines (even if the filter is eliminated) or the engine will fail from lack of lubricant. Many 261 engines have been quickly seized after persons plugged the two oil line holes. Those people had many years experience on Chevrolet engines without the full flow oil system. Some thought it was an easy fix to just remove the 3/4" lines if one was leaking and cap the holes. This procedure was acceptable on the older 216 and 235 but never on the 1958-62 [USA Chevrolet truck] 261 truck engine.

[curmudgeon]

Yes.

Having both '54 and '61 261 engines, this is what I know: There are 2 types of oil filtrations, full flow and the bypass filters. No 235 came from the factory with the full flow system, although the bypass filter was an option starting in '54. The 261's were available with the full flow system 1958-62.

If you tear the engine down you can retrofit your '56 261 to add the oil filter system: (http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/full_pressure.htm)