Thanks to all for your input. I never intended for my 261 to be a hot rod engine as its going into a working truck that I want to look period correct. Ideally, I'm hoping that be replacing the somewhat tired 235 with a "new" 261 I will gain enough extra torque that I can change the rear gears from the current 5.13 to 4.57 and still tow a trailer. So, it looks as though I will be rebuilding to stock specifications except for the "848" head and possibly the carb. I know I don't want multiple carbs or a four barrel. In the distant past I built a chevy 250 with high compression, high lift cam, headers, and aluminum intake with a Holley 390 cam carb. It was a bear to get the jets, power valve, accelerator pump springs, etc setup correctly. Although in the end it made a nice runner and surprised a number of people that it wasn't a v8.
Jerry,
Are you familiar with Wright's machine shop in Fayetteville? Three generations of machinists in the shop and the owner is very familiar with building 261s. I plan to have them do the rebuild.
Steve
