I've also discovered a custom length connecting rod intended for use in an altered stroke Chevy big block that will allow Chevy 265 V8 pistons to be used in a 261 custom buildup. The rod is just enough longer than the 261 item to compensate for the shorter compression height of the 265 piston. It's an H beam rod that's 7.100" inches long, and it's rated for 800 HP or so. A bushing in the top end would adapt the wrist pin size to the pin used in all the small block (and 261) pistons (0.927") A big block connecting rod bearing could be used by regrinding the 235/261 rod journal down. If someone is brave (or foolish) enough to bore a 261 1/8" oversize (0.125") a 283 piston could also be used since the compression height is virtually identical. That would probably be a "race only" application, since a solid copper head gasket with stainless steel wire O rings would need to be fabricated to hold the compression pressure.
Would you have to buy more than one set of pistons to get 6 that matched? I have it in my head that most V8 pistons have wrist pins located slightly off center….so there’s a RH/LH aspect to them. Perhaps they could just be flipped around to be oriented the same, I suppose.
How does the BBC connecting rod and bearing compare in journal width? Would you have to shim the sides or do any crank matching besides reducing the diameter?
