It all depends on your use of the vehicle. If it’s just a cruiser, then the 235 would be fine, if you are working it, then consider the 261. It will also depend on speeds you want to travel and tire size, gear ratio etc.
Example (what I have at home):
1954 bel air: 235 with 3 speed and 4.11 gears 215/75 r14 tires
1951 3100: 261 with 3 speed and 3.55 gears 235/75 r15 tires
The bel air acceleration is much better due to gear and tire size. Great around town. The 3100 has high gears and I love the power difference, but I don’t accelerate as fast due to gears. Straight up, if everything was the same, I’d like to think I’d feel a major difference, but my guess is I wouldn’t be able to tell easily.
IMO, if you find a 261, do that. If your 216 is running fine, drive it until you find what you want!
I hope this helped ?!?!
Chris
