I have a buddy of mine here in the SF Bay area who has a 57 or 58 Chevy 1/2 ton that currently has a mostly stock 235 except has a 4brl carb on it. Unfortunately it apparently has a cracked head and he now needs to get it fixed. I am posting this for him looking to help him out, so pardon my ignorance on Chevy stuff as I know way more about Studebakers than I do Chevys. Ideally, he wants to get a fully rebuilt motor from somewhere and would prefer to replace the 235 with a 261. From what little I gather, this would seem to be a logical and relatively straightforward thing to do. as an upgraded solution to the situation. So, first question is is this in fact a pretty easy upgrade? Accessories interchange? Potential problems he will need to deal with? I told him to just get a new head and gasket and bolt it on. He seems convinced the block needs to be decked and all that. But, I still say just get a new head and gasket and bolt it on and go. So, back to the 261 if that is not a bad thing if he wants to abandon the 235 and deal with swapping whole motors etc. Does anyone know of a place that offers rebuilt 261's that he can just buy and then have shipped here to SF Bay area? Any local bay area shops that could do the work and maybe also miraculously somehow have or can get a 261 for him? And then second question, anybody know anyone that can do the motor swap out for him? I could probably do it, but my time is limited and probably would take me forever to do it and get it running again. So, best to just get someone who is a real mechanic in that me. He lives in the Montclair area and probably could just do it in his garage or if not, I am sure he can have it towed to a shop within reasonable distance. So, in short, first he wants to get a rebuilt 261. Or if that doesn't work out, maybe have a local person/shop rebuild his 235 and also have someone do a motor swap. No, he doesn't want to just drop in a 350 - fortunately. The truck has a 3 on the tree trans if that matters. It is a pretty nice older restored but used basically stock driver truck. So pretty clean shape, but not a museum piece. Any help appreciated. Thanks!
First of all, 261's are not exactly droppping out of the sky. They're not as abundant in the market as 235's. Your buddy can try checking craigslist and junkyards, they came in big trucks (2 ton up to 19,000 pounds) and school busses '54-'62. They all have full pressure oiling (non babbit), but '58 and later have full flow oil pressure with bigger oil filter lines. The 261 can be bored much larger than the 235. The swap would be straight up, the 261 and 235 are virtually identical and will use all the same accessories. More cubes, more power, in essentially the same package. This swap is a no brainer if you can find one. Finding one is another matter. Good luck! Here's some god 261 info... http://www.1954advance-design.com/Web images/261-engine/index.htm And some 261 hop up advice with dyno results from "back in the day"... http://www.selectric.org/55chevy/soup.html
Go north young man, to Canada and get a 261 out of a Canadian Pontiac. About 58 to 62 it was in most of the Canadian Pontiacs and they are still common in the junk yards up there. Wife's cousin has one on the farm in a 61 Parisienne, all stock 3 on the tree and still runs good. A little to far, Manitoba, but there should be a BC hamber that can hook you up and maybe do a relay. US customs is no big deal, much easier to deal with than Canadian customs.
Thanks guys. Sounds like the 261s aren't too easy to come by. Anybody out there with at least a good core to start with if not a good runner or rebuilt one?
We talked today....just let me know...if I can hook your buddy up with a 261... Have Fenton header in stock too....James~ JJinlines.com
James, Yeah, that was me, thanks. After I spoke to you and relayed the info to my buddy, he told me he found some outfit in Kansas that could build him up one to "his spec." for $2600 with a 12 mo./12K warrantee. So, sounds like he is going that route and I guess if it works out, hard to beat that deal. Nice chatting with you though, much appreciated.
Hey Brother, I was in the same situation---I have a 54 3100 & wanted to tweak a 261 and pop it in...Google "United Engine Spe******ts" they are a "good ole boy" shop that specializes in exactly what "WE" need. They are in Wichita, Ks. They offer any kind of advice & will build anything from "mild to wild" just tell them what you want-----VERY REASONABLE & will ship to you.... Call United Engine Spe******ts 316-721-6868 & tell Curtis that Manny told you to call----I am a very happy owner of a '58 261 w/hydraulic lifters that I am bolting on 2-2bbl Webers--split Fenton Headers---H.E.I. Distributor---and most important----A Full Flow Remote Oil Filter---Do Not Forget This----Contact Me if you need to
Hopefully you guys won't mind if I jump in this thread to ask a question regarding 235's and 261's. I've just dropped in a second "235" but have been running all over the internet trying to confirm the year and that it is a 235. The engine VIN = N365571 CAL and actually is stamped with a "235" on the pad. That works but I can't seem to confirm the year. The second part of the mystery is that the head casting number = 3836850 which from my research means this is a 261 head (http://1954advance-design.com/Stovebolt-engine/casting-numbers.html). This may sound like a dumb question but could I have a 235 block with a 261 head? I'll keep hunting to try to identify the block. Thanks for any help on this!
CAL should ID the vehicle and horsepower rating. Sure it could have a 261 head, the only real difference in the two is a few cubic inches. Should be a great big casting number on the side of the block ahead of the distributor that will help track it down.
The 261 engine was basically a beefed up 235. The 261 had a 3/16" bigger bore, but with the same stroke. The pre-1955 engines had some differences (like the water pump and pulleys).
Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like I have a little more homework to do but appreciate the confirmation on the block and head combo being possible. Now I just need to confirm the block and I'll be in business.
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