The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 Machine Shop Recommendations in SF Bay Area

Good afternoon,
I’ve combed through the forums and called several reputable machine shops about the 261 I’m putting into my 16yr old’s 55 Chevy pick up. All have been very polite, but none seem to have experience with steam holes on the head. One shop owner, who has been in business for decades doing high end race engines, went so far as to say that the steam holes were a “rumor”.

Is there anyone on the forum that has a personal recommendation for a machine shop here in Northern California? I’ve done enough research to know that the steam holes are not a rumor and have decided that if I am going to be spending the time and money to have the motor gone through, I’d like to know that the shop is knowledgeable and experienced. We’re not doing anything fancy, just a daily driver.
Thanks
Scotty

If you are using the original head it already has the steam holes. If you are using an 848 head, search and you shall find. Drill baby drill !

It is "cool" to call those extra coolant passages "steam holes".

However, if you have steam in the 261 head, you have serious problems.

I didn’t write this down when I spoke to an old timer up here in my neck of the woods about my engine, but I’m pretty sure his advice was to go with Yosemite Machine in Modesto. Don’t have any first hand info however.

Tony.