The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk An Exciting Phone Call

I received a phone call last night from the fella that is rebuilding my 1954 Chevy 261. I shipped it to North Carolina about 6 weeks ago and expected that maybe, I would get a call later this fall. This is a luxury for me. I feel that I must rebuild my own motors and tackle the challenges, and feel the reward of a first start. But in this case - time is money, and sometimes time is more valuable than money - and I decided to have Troy rebuild it for me. This will sprng-board the 1949 Suburban project as one of my first full time retirement projects - where I can just focus on a truck without squeezing it in and meeting 40 plus hour a week obligations that ultimately go to the US Treasury.

He called last night and said the block has been machined to 40 over, the cam is in great shape and the crank turned to 20/30. He called asking what color I wanted it - and I agreed to celebrate it for what it is - and not mask it with grey paint to look like the 216 originally found in the Suburban. We agreed it should be the stock yellow 1954 261.

He is planning to bring it to the NE Chevy/GMC truck show in Hatfield, MA during the first week of August where I will meet him. He will have it mounted on his engine test stand and fire it up for me there so I can listen to it. Well, if fthis isn't a motivating factor to go to that show - I dont know what else would be.

Quite a luxury - better than a pile of lobsters on my plate and favorite 12 year old Scotch - well, almost as as good and close to a smoked pig on an open spit, a steaming drum of corn on the cob, mussels and clams; a few T-bone steaks, smoked ribs, a nice easy pale ale, 12 year old scotch (did I mention that already?) and 5 gallons of melted butter.

Tom

How exciting! When I had my engine rebuilt, I had the local machine shop assemble the block so all I had to do it install the head, manifolds and peripherals. Big time saver and saved allot of worry on my part. I have assembled many engines but don’t do it all the time so I decided to leave it to the professionals. I still had butterflies when I first started it.

An assembled, tested and running 261 and all you have to do is install it in your truck. That’s a home run! Congrat’s!

I agree. He turned the flywheel and is adding the clutch assembly, tuning a NOS Zenith carb I had floating around, and it will be for the most part stock - with stock manifolds, but 12V, and an orignal PCV assembly too. I took it apart before I shipped it and I had an 848 head rebuilt with new valves, springs, and guides. I didnt add hardened seats - but this is a light duty rig - and some zinc additive should help.

I prefer to keep it as it was designed - and not go crazy with dual carbs, dual exhaust, etc. I appreciate a smooth running, quiet ticking, well tuned sewing machine inline 6 as a true luxury to my ears.

Thanks, Phak1. Tonight - its ribs on the grill. Come onver from Upstate NY. Dinner at 5:30

Thanks for the invite! I have family over for the forth and will be doing some grilling too!

That show is only two and one half hours from me so I may consider going.

Two or more ....


Just posted that truck show in the NE Bolters forum.

Pile on!!

Tom,

Congratulations, I am jealous - a 1954 261.

I am saddened that I no longer live in the NE - that truck show was always enjoyable (and it was an enjoyable ride from my house on Castleton-on-Hudson, NY).

What transmission do you have?
What rear-end (and ratio)?

Best Regards,
Tim

Tom, that is as good as it gets. You will thoroughly enjoy that setup.

THanks! yeah, I am not pretentious or expect grand things ftom this life - so anything and everything above and beyond paying the bills, making sure there is enough money at the end of the month and doing the best I can with what is between my ears is what I am grateful for. Anything above and beyond that? I feel is a luxury and at times beyond what I deserve. So - hiring Troy to do this - and then picking it up is a huge deal.

TIm: the Suburban has the 4 Speed SM420 - I want to upgrade the rear differential to a 3.11. I dont know what it is in it now. It came from a reservation in Oklahoma. There was some yellow school bus paint in those hard to reach areas too. May add A/C.

Tom

Edit: that’s right, Tim - I meant 3.55 gears. Not sure about shims - but I have confidence in this rebuilder - Troy Robertson - and I’m sure he has it down. I didn’t pull the crank - but I assume those are the shims you are referring to - bearing cap shims?

Peggy: Hope to meet you and John someday.

Hello, Tom,

If you have a 1954 1/2 ton truck with an enclosed driveshaft, you can put in the 3.55 Ring & Pinion set (and all new seals/bearing/bushings - complete sets are readily available). I think that MotherTrucker sells the R&P, and, several vendors sell the complete parts kit.

With my modern 16" radial tires (on original 1954 16" wheels), and my 1960 261, I can cruise all day at 60+ MPH. I won't post the highest speed I have I have reached.

I have original-style brakes, front-end parts, and, steering. All are adjusted per the Shop Manual.

This set-up looks completely original/natural.

I have a 1960 261 - I think it has "precision" bearings - no shims. Does your 1954 engine need to be checked for possibly needed shims?

Best Regards,

Tim

Tom,

Heard a thought worth considering. Our bodies may doing a slow, downhill roll but our minds don't have to be. Lots of way to learn, re-learn and try new stuff.

Appreciate your comments, especially: ...