The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Cadillac 261

Has anyone here finished this 261 Stroker build up? I am anxious to hear about the results. I posted the ? over on Inliners too. Hope to hear from someone who has completed the project.

I have one installed in my 1950 3100 pickup. It is running a little cam, two 2stage 2barrel carbs, Fenton headers, a '78 Blazer rear end and a Tremec 3550 5speed. It is a sweet combination. The truck is an everyday driver and I drag race it one weekends (1/8 mile). With basically the same equipment on my 261 compared to the "Cadillac 261" the truck picked up a solid 3 to 4 tenths of a second in the 1/8. It still gets 20 mpg plus at 65. I'm happy.

Arpee, just courious,what does a hopped up 261 run in the 1/8? I've never seen any sixes at the track around here and dont remember see'n anyone post any times after running.

Our local track (Sturgis, SD) is about 3500ft so the air isn't the best but with the "Cadillac" engine in the truck it runs low 10's. The 261 with similar, but not exactly the same equipment ran mid 10's. My '56 2 door sedan in full street trim (full interior, bumpers etc. - a real grandma's car) but open headers runs about 9 flat. I hauled it out to OH for a 1/4 race and it ran a best of 13.8 at 99mph. I've never run the old '50 pickup in the 1/4.

Faster than I was expecting,that things got to be fun to drive.The 13.8 in the 56,I like it!

Burntclutch, It is fun to drive (they both are!)There are pictures of the pickup and engine in the Gallary under Ron and Kim Plender's 1950 Pickup. Just for fun we are heading back out to Ohio next week for the same race we have made a habbit of attending. It is the Gasser Reunion in Thompson. It's all old Gasser type cars. Tons of Willys, Henry J's and Anglias. They won't let you in with anything newer than a '68.

sounds like a cool time,wish they had events like that close to my neck of the woods,Ya'll have fun!

Hello Burntclutch and Arpee:
Hey.. read your posts with great interest but.. I need some "translation"
What is a Cadillac 261?
Are there stoker cranks available for 235/261 GM engines?
Would love to see the Gasser Reunion!!!
Hope you don't mind helping me with the 'lingo'
Thanks
Ter

The "Cadillac 261" uses a standard 261 (or 235) crank and 292 connecting rods. The rod journal on the old engine is larger than the 292 so have your crank ground "off center" and it acts as a mini stroker. I can't remember the exact pistons used but they are from an older Cadillac V8 (like a 368 or something) and have just the right piston pin height to work. Depending on the over-bore it gives you around 285 to 288 cu in. Tom Langdon at the Stovebolt Engine Co. has all the pieces. If you go to the Gallery you will find a picture of my '50 pickup and the engine under Ron and Kim Plenders 1950 pickup.

Arpee
Wow... never cease to be amazed at people's ingenuity!! What a neat trick.
Thanks for explaining it.
Ter

Arpee, that's way too cool I first heard of the idea from Larrowe and sons (the son) and thought it would be too rumpy for the street. I bought and cleaned a 261 block and an 848 head from them that are sitting in my garage. I am planning to start that project next fall. I've been considering ideas and after reading your gallery page, I've decided that that's the route I will take. I will be using an edelbrock 2 X 1 with rochesters though, since I already have two NOS. I'm still riding the fence about using my original manifold split by Kansas Kustoms or the fentons that are on my truck now.
Hey Bob, What are you going to do with your 261s?

just a heads up,there is a Cadillac 261 for sale over at the inliners.org board,they want $1200.

Spanky has it for sale on here too, I think. That's a good deal!

Here's the article detailing the build.
http://www.angelfire.com/nv/conv/stovebolt.html