Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 261 rod cap bolts

I have posted this in the classifieds with no luck so far, but maybe there is another way to get my problem taken care of. While pulling my 261 apart for rebuild I bent one of the rod cap bolts. I'm trying to locate one. I called and purchased from ARP a two pack set that they thought would work, but they are to short. Does anyone know of a bolt from a different motor that will interchange?

Dennis, I should know this, but brain fade has hit me this morning. Are the 235 and 261 rod cap bolts the same? If so, I have an NOS set and will part with what you need. I'll check this forum later today. Out Christmas shopping soon.Maybe I can send you an email pic to be sure if it's the same. Let me know.

53-62 235/261 rod bolts are the same.
3/8-24 X 2 1/4"lg
GM# 3836670

Possibly try Obsolete Chevrolet Parts in Nashville, GA ??

I'm not sure if they are the same or not, but I tore down the 1953 235 that was in my car and the bolts were not the the same. I need to go back and look at the 235 bolts to remember why they would not work in the 261.The 261 has been rebuilt befor I got it so I'm wondering if the rods may not be stock? The bolts I have are 2 1/4 " long. The bolts sent to me from ARP are 1 7/8" long. Their package says they are 194-292 c.i.d. rod bolts. Maybe they just sent the wrong ones.
Drew- I'll do some checking and let you know.
Thanks for the offer! I'll check napa with gearheads part number on Monday and also plan to call Obsolete parts and Tom Langdon.

Here's the info from my GM box.
GM Group # 0.623
GM 12 Part # 3701531(This a box of 12 #,not an
individual bolt #)
3/8-24 x 2 1/4 inches
I tried to post a pic, but was unsucessful ,so I will email you a pic. Let me know if you want a bolt and send me your address and I'll mail it out.

Trident,
If the '53 235 was a babbit pounder, then the bolts would be different...

3701531 is for 53 w/PG, and 54-55 all with 2 15/64"lg knurled...

3836670 is for 53-62 all, no mention of knurled or not...

yep, it was a babbit. Drew- I got your picture and it looks like the head may be different. Mine has a flat side about even with the shaft and on each side of that are verticle flat sides about at a 45 deg angle to the first side and in between those, a section sloped at about a 45 deg angle (smaller at the top). So, thats four faces. Hard to describe. Also, the knurled sections go the opposite direction than your bolts pictured. I Don't think that would matter, but there may be other differences to. My daughter is home from college and has her digital camera. I'll get a photo posted in the next couple of days and E-mail one to you Drew. I'll check out those part numbers tomarrow and see what I can come up with.

After reading gearhead's post I went back and actually measured them with a Vernier instead of eyeballing with a tape and he is correct. They measure at 2 15/64" long.

If you purchased the bolts directly from ARP, they should not have a problem taking them back. I have found their customer service to be great and if they do not actually have a 235/261 rod bolt in the catalog, it is highly likely they will have a suitable bolt available.

The ARP rod bolts intended for a Ford 351 Cleveland engine will work on a 235-261.The head of the bolt needs a touchup with a grinder to fit properly into the rod.This information comes from a guy I know who did it.
When changing rod bolts for any engine stressed by more power,you should have the rods resized with the new bolts in place.