Here is my 2 cents...
I think there MAY be a bit of hype surrounding that motor...
It's little more than a 235 with added bore and stroke, but the internals (like the connecting rods) are in fact 'beefier' than the 235.
Of course, there IS an increase in horsepower there, but more importantly it's the possibilities it affords as far as 'hopping up' an inline 6...
In my case, I would have been happy with any 'newer' 235 (with oiling and insert bearings) because I'd like to replace my babbit, splash oiling '53 235, the 261 was a nice surprise.
They are certainly rarer in the USA than Canada, as our Pontiacs came with 261's.
Though judging from the serial #, the 261 I bought, was rebuilt and installed in a Pontiac sedan but came from a truck...
The 848 head is not a rare head 'per se', it has a smaller combustion chamber and therefore more compression...
Any input from the Stovebolt gurus?
