IH C263/C291/C301 October 05, 2011 06:20AM
Thinking a little outside the box here and need the advice of someone knowledgeable on the IH C263/C291/C301 engines. Got an old International pickup I'd like to fix up for a Sunday driver and would like to go with one of the above for an engine, with some performance enhancements, of course. What is the realistic max bore and stroke that can be put in these engines without hard blocking or making it unreliable/unsuitable for a driver? RPM will be kept to a sensible max, probably 6000 or so. I don't expect it to run like a big block chevy, would just like to have a good running truck that's a little different from the norm. Thanks for any input.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 12:00AM
IH built I think a 306 for the trucks, that was basically the same as those engines. I know of one that was running 300 hp to the wheels in stock cubic inches. Keep in mind some guys use truck engines in tractors to get more power, so using a tractor engine in a truck is going backwards, IMHO. I would look into putting a turbo on it if you are wanting more power cheap. Keystone makes a kit for the tractor engines.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 06:04AM
Backwards, it would seem, is what I do best. I suppose I should mention that another reason I am contemplating this is because I already have a couple of these engines on hand. Anyway, I'm most interested in what can be done to get the most cubes up to the point of cylinders getting too thin, rods hitting crankcase/cam, etc. I know there has to be people on this forum that have taken these to max cubes and beyond and was hoping to save myself some trial and error by getting some advise from those who have done it. Thanks.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 12:14PM
The biggest possible cid is just under 500. second thing truck motors and tractor motors cont line up the crank shaft is .250"higher in a truck engine. My suggestion would be a RD 501, raise the compression and you'll make a lot of tourge and hp without spending a huge amount of $.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 12:51PM
forget them engines take a 282 or 301 diesle engine put the goveners out of a 7.3 ford diesle a turbo of a 301 allis bolt write in get 30mpg blo smoke like a dodge and out run a powerstoke done did it
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 12:39PM
IH "BD" (Blue Diamond) I-6 truck engines of the late 50's/60's era are 220, 241, 265, 282 & 308 cubes. These cubic inches are or almost identical for both the trucks and tractors. Are they actually the same motor? I don't know. Certainly a tractor motor is governed to a lot lower RPM. As I recall, these truck motors were rated at 3800 RPM's with the 308 at 3600. Sure wish I still had from my youth, the mountain of new truck sales literature with all those specs.
This past weekend, my brother & I visited the 'new' Studebaker Museum in South Bend, IN (I highly rec a visit.)
One thing that caught my attention was what adorned their longterm relaible flat head I-6 (about 239 cubes). It had an aftermarket aluminum finned head. The intake manifold was also an aftermarket, I think also aluminum. It had 2 carburetors. Certainly a good way to boost some horsepower & torque and to have a more equal mixture of fuel getting to #1 & 6 cylinder compared to a single carb.
With as nice as an IH I-6 engine always ran, seems logical that balancing the crank, perhaps a very mildly ground cam, dual carbs, possibly a very small turbo would give you what you're after.
Henry Martin, a dairy & crop farmer, near Wakarusa, IN, LOVES IH's, especially this vintage. He modifies a lot of 460/560's for the local Amishman to run down the road at about 35 - 40 mph towing their work trailers. Still drives a classic '60 something IH pickup. Give Henry a call 574-862-2916 at home. Perhaps he can help you immensely.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 01:08PM
Dave,sorry to report Henry passed away a couple weeks ago due to heart issues.I know his brother that lives east of New Paris north of US 6.Heard alot of stories about Henry's work, but never got to talk to him about sprucing up my 706.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 12:25PM
My 301 in my pulling tractor is 350ci. Not sure how reliable. u have to grind the side of block to get rods to clear has big stroke little bore 283 chevy pistons.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 06, 2011 03:34PM
truck block tractor block differ 282 gas block 503 combine is your cornerstone 2 build on unless u r sharp with measurements please keep us posted u can make it happen with enuf STUDY TIME o n a few dollars
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 07, 2011 02:43AM
I'm a machinist by trade and do a fair amount of engine work, so I would like to think I'm fairly sharp with measurements and could figure something out, I just have zero experience with this particular engine. Based upon a small amount of research, it would seem obvious to offset grind the crank to 2.100 or 2.00, as these are common size automotive crankpins for which there are a lot of rods available. The biggest question mark for me right now is how big a bore will this block safely accommodate? Without any advice, I guess I'll just have to bore one until I hit water, then I'll know, right?
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 08, 2011 09:21AM
Why don't you just ultrasound the cylinder walls and see how thin they are or just bore the water jacket out and press a set of sleeves in to the size you want and just hard block it up to where the piston comes to the lowest pint in the block to add a little strength but still running water in the hot spot
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 08, 2011 11:11AM
if i knew i would tell you, 310 is the biggest we ever had one have heard of 370 but I have no idea how strong it would be at those cubes.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 08, 2011 02:56PM
I have a 301 at 320. I jardín Chevy 366 night block pistons with stock stroke and rods at 10:1
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 09, 2011 02:45AM
I have a 301 with a 4 inch bore and 5.5 inch stroke for 414 cubic inches.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 09, 2011 07:12AM
So, the 301 block will take a 4" bore without hard blocking?
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 18, 2011 12:59AM
Your side wall will only be .100" thick then you need custom head gasket. Save a lot of head aches and stay under 3.920" bore.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 18, 2011 06:37AM
Floyd, do all three engines have the same amount of cylinder wall material cast into the block? It has been said that the 301 has more meat in the cylinder area than the 263 or 291. What is your opinion on this?
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 19, 2011 02:42AM
i do think 301 has better casting.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 20, 2011 11:47PM
301 blocks have thicker cylinder walls
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 22, 2011 12:15AM
Depends on year of block. The lastimosamente des year Were the same just 301 didnt run sleeves.
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Re: IH C263/C291/C301 October 22, 2011 11:57AM
301 will go 3 7/8 282d block will go 4 and has alot better head they run great on gas 4" bore stock stroke 330ci
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