Hot Rods looking for advice on engine situation Chevy 261

I recently picked up a '59 chevy 261 inline 6 with a muncie 4 speed out of an Apache truck. My plan was to build this up and drop it into my '58 Apache panel truck. The for sale posting listed the engine as having been rebuilt, but when I got it home and opened it up I found that the block was cracked. Good news is most of the parts are relatively new and can be salvaged. I guess my questions are 1.) Should I just take all the good parts off the 261 (head, valve train, cam, and possibly the crank) and put them into the running 235 I have in my '58 panel? 2.) Should I save these parts and look for another 261 block? 3.) I've got a lead on a local guy who's willing to give away a running 235, but out of a p***enger car...should I pick this one up and throw the 261 parts onto it? I'm also wondering if I were to try and put the 261 cam into the car 235, if the difference in the lifters would be an issue (solid vs. hydraulic)?
I'm glad that I didn't pay a lot for that motor and transmission, but I'm still disappointed that the 261 is messed up like that. Let me know what y'all think.

Jason

 

Details about the crack and pics would be helpful. Cracks can be fixed, but a different block might be more feasible. Good Luck

 

Lots of info needed. Pictures, your location info in your profile so members near you can possibly help, etc.
ALL used engines have just been rebuilt ...

 

Rex_A_Lott, I gotcha. I'll be posting some pics here shortly. Specifically, there are two parallel cracks going through to the water jacket in cylinder #3 along with lots of rust in both #3 and #4.

 

Here's some pics...

 

Right on. Sorry, this is my first time posting to this forum. I tried to edit my profile to include my location, but couldn't figure it out. To answer your location question, I'm in Corpus Christi Texas. I'll admit, I was excited just to find one of these engines in what I thought was good shape. I had gotten a look at the top end when I went to go pick it up and everything looked brand new...bottom end also. I know next time to dig a little deeper.

 

go to the top of the page, click on the single silhouette under or nearest to the STORE, click on personal details, drop down to location, type in location then go to the bottom of the page and hit SAVE
That should do it

don't feel bad about that block. I drove two hours and bought a running Olds 324 only to find out when home with the engine that the block had been frozen and cracked. Sometimes you just can't win.

 

I would look for a new 261 block/ engine. But sometimes you got to do what you have to do. But I would try and get those 26 inches if possible.





Bones

 

Yikes !!! Best get the pan off & see if the inside is any better off than what we see here … check the piston tops to see what bore size was, & hit the head a few licks with wire brush for crack check. Most of the 261 builders prefer a '56 up "848" 235 head, so don't be alarmed if it's broke.
Welcome to the HAMB - you'll like it ...

 

Thanks! I made the changes. Right on. Yeah, that's basically what I did. I spent a whole Saturday driving 11 hours (roundtrip) to go get that 261. It was the only one I had found in Texas which is why I was willing to make the drive. So be it...

 

first thing to check when looking at a used engine to buy, is turn the crankshaft. Oh well.

When you are looking at replacement engines, also look at the motor mount location on the block. Make sure the block you want to use, has the holes in the right place, to attach your motor mounts. In addition to the other concerns you had.

 

I hear ya. A buddy and I did that already and the crank is in good shape. I'm hoping the cam is also...just gotta pull them out. The pistons were marked at .030 over. Luckily the head is an 848 and it's got the 261 steam holes already drilled into it. However, it is a bit rusty and does have one stuck valve, so I'll be reaching out to a local buddy in the car scene who's a retired machinist to have him look at it. I'm hoping he can help me save the head. Thanks for the welcome!

 

I gotcha. Believe it or not, it did turn when the guy showed it to me...just not a full rotation. This one did have the correct motor mounts which is one of the reasons why I jumped on it.

 

Looks pretty rough.. I agree with getting the bottom pan off, before deciding .
I have a 235 w/ a cast iron Powerglide in a '55 210. Its a dog, no way would I put one of those in a truck. But a lot depends on what you want to do with the truck, and your pocketbook.
Pop had a '57 GMC back in the '60's that had 270 and a 3 speed. It got he yanked it out and put in a 283 and it would run run rings around that 6, til it blowed. It sat behind the house for a few years and I put many miles on it pretending to drive and shifting the gears. I hated to see it go. The guy he sold it to put a 350 in it, painted it, and drove it for many more years.
Its really hard to beat a good SBC for the money, and it can be done in a good weekend. That was Pop's every day ride when he done the swap. Good Luck.

 

Start calling every automotive machine shop within a couple hundred miles, someone probably has a block out back. If not, take it apart, if that's the only break, you might save it with a sleeve. It doesn't look like the crack goes to the deck.

 

The 235 and the 261 have the same stroke. The extra cubes are from a .190 bore difference.

 

The 261 cam and lifters will work in a 235. Just make certain you keep the lifters in order so you install the lifters on the same lobe they came from. A V8 bellhousing will bolt into your trucks rear crossmember. and them you could use any V8 or inline 6 made after 1963. all you would need it to do is use front pedestal mounts or fab side engine mounts.

 

Ouch! Best bet is to find another block and look it over good to make sure it's useable.

That turned when the guy showed it to you? If it looked like he turned it, he was an illusionist. I've never seen one that rusty budge at all.

 

Sounds like a plan, I'll be doing that after Christmas. Can it be saved with a sleeve? I had been told that this crack was too deep. I've also read how some guys say they will only use a sleeve as a last resort...are there any cons to using a sleeve?

 

Thanks for the tip! I've read that the 261 cam will work in the 235 block as you mentioned. On that note, would a block designed for hydraulic lifters still work if I switched it over to the 261's solid lifters?

 

yes you can use solid lifters in a hyd block.

 

Well if the Muncie isn't broke you bought a good ****** attached to a good trotline weight. My best advice is to find yourself a good small block (or a W motor if you wallet is fat) bolt it to the ****** shove it in the Apache and go fishin'.

 

Yes a v8 would be fun. However I would go with a newer 250 inline six. Because I happen to have plenty of them and they are kinda hard to sell. they make decent power and don't guzzle fuel.

 

This would be a big upgrade. https://lubbock.craigslist.org/pts/d/ralls-hot-rod-6-cylinder-302-in-line/7021143750.html

 

I had a 270 with more rust in the cylinders than yours. And one cracked cylinder. Bored it .156 and sleeved the cracked cylinder. I don't know about a .156 overbore on a 261. Don't think I would do it again. But my 270 lived with 20 psi boost and set and held records for 37 years.

 

That's good to know! After posting on this board and talking with some local guys in the car club scene I'm feeling more hopeful about possible saving this engine. One of the guys I talked with said the same as you about putting in a sleeve. He also recommended pouring some Berryman carb cleaner(?) down the rusted cylinders to see if that'll brake them loose. I'll see what happens from here.

 

Good to know, thanks!

 

Hey @inline_sixer, got a suggestion for you. Change this thread's ***le to include the engine. That way, somebody who has one of these engines is more likely to open the thread and read it. Who knows, maybe a good block will find you for Christmas.

To update your ***le, go to your first post and look for "Thread Tools" on the upper right side. Click on the little arrow, and then select "Edit ***le." Here's a screenshot:

 

I'm glad you didn't pay a lot either. I hope the Muncie is better.

 

Got it, thanks!