Its a nice fitted block you have there! I have two of these Canadian Pontiac pass car blocks. All of the pass blocks I have seen seem to be Drilled for hydraulic lifters. Rods, pistons are 261 specific so you have those. Use a timing gear set for a 261 truck (Aluminum cam gear, which I am pretty sure is all that is offered now as new although you might be able to find a NOS fiber gear, but stay away, the truck gears are better.) Everything else can come from a 235. The Canadian 261 is more like the 55-57/8 American truck blocks in that the Canadian Pontiac pass blocks use the bypass style filter and smaller oil lines (as far as I have seen) even in blocks through the 1962 Canadian Pontiac production as opposed to the 58 and up American truck blocks which were generally full flow filter motors with the larger lines.
Jerry is quite correct as to the hydraulic lifters. The new stuff seems to have a high propensity for failure, mostly collapsing as opposed to taking out a lobe, within a short time of going into service. If you want hydraulics, beat the bushes and get a set of NOS GM or RNOS 56-62 235 hydraulic lifters that are at least 25 years old. Use the 56-62 235 push rods (aftermarket like TRW or Sealed power are better then stock GM as they are a tube type as opposed to the solid GM type which are more prone to bending).
Camshafts, I like Schneider, others like Delta or Elgin. For the head, the Canadian Pontiac 261 motors used the 848 head. The benefit of finding a real Canadian Pontiac 848 head, the steam holes are already drilled and at the correct angle. Otherwise, use a 235 848 head but remember to drill the holes.
Crank can come from a 235 (I have a 56 235 crank in one of my 59 Canadian Pontiac 261 blocks). All the tin can come from a 235. Timing plate - depends. If the timing plate for the installation you are doing calls for the motor mount as part of the plate, just swap over what you have or get what you need. Rockers, getting the right finish and curvature on the rocker arm tips, and a good fit between the rocker arm and the shaft is not something everyone can do, me included. Rocker arms unlimited in California can rebuild a set for you but be forewarned, not cheap. New TRW and Sealed power sets turn up once in a while on ebay, usually less then a rebuild but its hit or miss finding a set.
That flitted block you have is going to be the basis for a really nice motor for you. Dive in and enjoy the build!
Last edited by Dragsix; 08/22/2019 6:43 PM.
