Put the 235 in it, weber side drafts, HEI, and the rest of the speed parts that belong, 5 speed, 3.55 or 3.70 gears. Watch the crowd gather when you open the hood
No 409's in 61', came out in 62'. A 348 with trips would be correst & almost impossible to find!!lol I'd go with a V-8 "anything". everyone who puts a six in there car is unhappy with it somewhere along the line.While sixes do look good all dressed there SLOW!! you can sink 1K or 1500 into a 6 & it'll have trouble keeping up with a stock 350!!( i know they'll be about 10 people telling me how they beat 350's all the time with a hot 6, but it cost them a yrs salary!!)But it is a heavy car & beleive it or not the mileage will be better with a V-8! Ya gotta stand on the gas of a 6 to get it to move. I think "hotrodding" is all about speed to be truthful! I myself replaced the 305 in my T with a 350 & now i just put in a 400, fuck that going slow thats for yuppies in Volvos!! JimV
Putting in a six in my estimation a waste of time and money. A period correct 348 and a four speed is the only way to go. Real Hot Rods have 3 pedals and a V8
Another nice car with a small block Chevy in it........... imagine the possibilities! *yawn* Thats a big car for a six, but not a built six!
I remember well thinking in the mid to late 1950 when I strated rodden,if it was not a V8 it was shit for power,even in the 60's and 70's the feel for most was the same. Some time in about the late90's some started building rods that were not just each guys rod but so called old school,what ever that is to who? like per 19?somethen,with 4's and 6's,hell them things was out of stile not long after Ford V8 flatheads got to be so ya could get 'm in the mid 30's,and the SBC v8 was though of as a crap motor tell after 57 when they got some power. So kind of do it your way,that's what it was and that's what it should stay,have fun,if ya likes 6's,seem's no one should LOL at it,there were very few around,but there were some.
If you want a traditional mill, I'd go for the hopped up 235. I love 6 inna rows and they can make a cool cruising engine. BUT, if you'd like to REALLY get nasty and P.O some people, I'd build a 460 Ford for your '61. Yep, a Ford in a Chevy.... Dollar for dollar, you can get much more power for lower dollars from a 385 series Ford than a W series or Rat Motor Chev. A friend has a relatively inexpensive 511 stroker in a heavy '63 Galaxie that consistently runs in the very low 10s on pump gas and is streetable as hell. With a bit of tuning and race fuel (no bottle), he runs high 9s and the '63 pulls the wheels every run. Dare to be different either way.. Jan
Do you have gobs of money to throw at it? Do whatever floats your boat. Will you be close to broke after buying it? 350s are cheap to rebuild, about the cheapest there is.
rebuild the 235 and if you don't like it find a old chevy truck pull the 235 and put it in the truck for a parts hauler. then build a 348 for the 61'
If it was mine and I had alot of cash to chunk at it, I'd go with a "W" motor and multi carbs and a buncha vintage speed and dress goodies...If I didn't have that kinda cash I'd go with another SBC, built good with a good sounding cam an all, BUT dressed up with period stuff like stamped chevrolet valve covers an stuff....oh.......and a 4 speed....
I agree. 6's are cool to look at, but with modern highway speeds etc. I would rather have the extra power and ease of finding parts at any auto parts store without having to special order them. plus you would probably get the same gas milage
if he's like most of them around this part of town it's still sitting in the back yard. he's gonna restore it one day!. nah I hope he put something in it and is enjoying it too much to type on the computer
If a 409 is to costly ,go with a 383 small block, torque is good with a heavy car like yours . No wimp auto, use a 4 speed. As stated by others detail the engine to look like an adult put in in there, no kid stuff or I am a racer crap.
badass built 6, splits that run to wide open lakes pipes, thats what I'm gonna do if the guy down the road ever sell me the 61 4dr he's got!
to me the numbers wudnt matter, chevy bubble tops [I luv em I had a poncho], are for BIG engines, but if it was a 39 chevy It would have a straight 6, [dont matter what kind] You can get all kinds of them old stockers to overhead cammers
Ive got both units , 350 & 6 cyl in 2 vehicles and am happy with both depends what your going to do with the car...
Personally, I am ANTI-SBC. I think the old W head motor is a great idea, if you can find something suitable (348-409). if not, my vote is the ol 6 banger... May not be as common but sure as hell sounds and looks really kool...
I totally agree with kustomkat if you can't do 348 / 409 (coolest lookin' valve covers !) punched up six would ROCK !
Thats the "NON~CARGUY" Way to go Be a real hero and do a '60s style Dual Quad 427 & 4spd dont forget to jack up the front !!!
If you want a fun car to drive a V8 four speed is the way to go. Why would anyone want a 6 when a V8 is available? Then again thats my opinion, build it the way it will make you happy.
i just asked myself the same question regarding my 54 chev and a 283 because i just popped my 235... after a lot of consideration i have decided on the 235 even though they are expensive as hell to rebuild... like every one has said if you got the jack then a 409 but if you are a poor sob like myself then 6 banger with a 2 pot intake and duels is the ticket!!!
Real sick of 350s.Just not very creative.Id go for a 348 multi-carb setup first.If not that ,id try a Ford 351 C.
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