361 to a 359

[myfirstbrockway]

I have a dumb question for you guys. I have bought a 359 and it has all of the running gear to restore my huskidrive. Can I take my 361 cab,hood.fenders, etc. and put them on a 359 frame? Anybody ever heard of that or done that? If not then I will buy a cutoff and weld to my 361. I don't want to cut the frame on the 359.

[Huskiedrive2]

In order to put 361 fenders on a 359, they have to be cut out on top to clear the cab. Not a bad job to do, I have a template if you need it. As far as the cab is concerned, a 359 has a doghouse in the cab to clear the engine. A 361 cab would have to have the floor cut and braced and the fire wall cut and braced like a 359. It can be done but is a major project.

[myfirstbrockway]

So could I just use my 359 fenders? If I cut the floor and modify it then it would look like a 359 on the inside? I was wondering if I could move the cab mounts or something like that to make it look like a 361?

[Huskiedrive2]

Not exactly sure what you're trying to do here. Do you want to put 361 tin on a 359 frame and make it look like a 361? Or look like a 359? I described 361 looking like a 359. To put 361 tin on the 359 frame, one is a set forward axle (359) and one is set back axle (361) so you need to move all the 361 cab mounts onto the 359 frame but leaving your axle forward would make a 360 model. Best to stick with one model and find tin for it, it's out there if you look.

[stubnosebrock]

I know the truck you bought. I was thinking you only needed a rear for your truck. You need the whole drivetrain?

[myfirstbrockway]

my truck only had the transmission. Wrong motor and rear end and it was cut and spliced together. I don't want to butcher the 359

[stubnosebrock]

So why not have a Huskidrive 359?

[myfirstbrockway]

My 361 was 1 of 10 to be sent to Lakeland FL. I haven't gotten any leads on any of the other 9 trucks so I would like to put my truck back as original as can be. I hope to make 2 trucks. My 359 has a water leak on the front of the motor. Is this something that was normal on the pt270 motors?

[Huskiedrive2]

If it's truly on the front of the motor, it probably is the water pump, which is leaking out of the weep hole. There also are possible leaks at the water manifold and piping to the air compressor, not to mention a head gasket. Take a blow gun and dry it off as best as possible then run the engine looking for the leak. blow it dry again with it running and watch the water/coolant appear at the leak. That way you will know for sure.

[myfirstbrockway]

I just bought the 359 and it's still in PA. I have to get it to Al. as soon as the snow melts. It hasn't ran in a couple of years. I will check all of the things that you mentioned when I get it here.. Thanks Leonard