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| | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 | My 51 is basically stock and I cannot always pay attention to it like I should. Thus, it has become a maintenance nightmare. My solution
is to take out the 261, pull off the body, put it on a modern chassis and plop a LS3 in it. Besides the people on TV, does anyone know a
directory for car builders (Carolinas).
1951 Chevy 3100 5-window
261 cu in, 348 Head, Split Fenton Exhaust
Offy with Dual Weber 2 Bbl Carbs
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Good luck, 51 bowie.
What year 261 engine?
What sort of nightmare maintenance was the 261 causing you to do?
If you have made up your mind, you might want this thread to be moved to The HiPo Shop forum. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 | Its a 59 (3759365) 261 with a 56 (3836848) head. I have split exhaust on it
and an Offy 2 single barrel intake. I currently have twin Carter YF's . The Carbs leak,
the oil leaks, the water leaks and I don't have the energy anymore to track it all
down. And, it sits for long periods.
1951 Chevy 3100 5-window
261 cu in, 348 Head, Split Fenton Exhaust
Offy with Dual Weber 2 Bbl Carbs
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Do you have an insulator under each Carter?
How are you heating the Offenhauser intake?
You'll need a LOT of energy and a LOT of $$$ in order to plop an LS3 onto a different chassis. This does not sound like an easy solution.
I had two Rochesters on a Offenhauser water-heated 261, with no problems since 1997 (now owned by a friend). | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Changing rear ends requires cutting off spring perches and welding on new ones in the location you need. Get a GM as close to the width as your original such as 70's Camero/Firebird. It's doable.ðŸ›
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 | Yes I have insulators under the carbs. Started out heating the Offy with exhaust gas then changed to water.
1951 Chevy 3100 5-window
261 cu in, 348 Head, Split Fenton Exhaust
Offy with Dual Weber 2 Bbl Carbs
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Chevy 6's are as simple, low maintenance as they get. Perhaps it might be well for you to read-up or take a maintenance class at the local college. Plus, it is all already paid for.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Excellent suggestion from Ed.  Stovebolt Engine History 101, most likely (an upper level elective)?  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 | There are guys out there who are waiting for the day where they can find a workable 261 for one of these trucks. You don't need any more power than that with an otherwise stock truck.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
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