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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 | What intake, carbs ,header, cam, head work , piston and what ever else that i need to have done .Thanks for every ones help | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,426 ODSS President | | ODSS President Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,426 | Do some reading. Search "261". Loads of stuff. People may not be wanting to repeat what they've already said... lot's of information for your build. Also inliners.org this is the place for people that have addressed your quest several different ways.
~ Cosmo
1949 Chevy Half Ton
Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities.
"...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | Also get yourself a catalog from Patrick's, it's loaded with great info. And as Cosmo say's check out Inliners.org, 'Members' have access to tech advisors that can lead you in the best direction for your engine. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Try searching on 261 in The Engine & Driveline Shop forum. Here is one thread from a few days ago. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats | | Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 |
The problems we face today can not be addressed at the same level of intelligence we were at when we created them - Albert Einstein Or with the same level of $ - Me
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 | Have you discovered this link currently active in the engine and driveline shop ? Read tclederman's reply and links. Also, checkout the Inliners' site? The '54 261 is a great engine - the high water mark of the stovebolt engines. Hoyt | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 360 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 360 | the link that hoyt has posted above was started by me. it has been great. check out the articles that tc and sweet linked to. call patrick's. talked to them the other day. lots of good info, especially do's and dont's, and even some costly unnecessary work i was thinking of. http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/index.htm | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 | A couple suggestions......find a competent automotive machinist who has a history with Inline GM engines and be ready pay a little extra to get name brand replacement parts. I'd avoid the "rebuild kits" that feature the majority of "Offshore" parts and build on the mindset that the 4 main bearing 261 was initially a "torque builder" engine. Trying to nurse more revs out of a torque engine is just going to cost you big bucks and leave you disappointed with the end result.
By capitalizing on the low-end torque you can set up your GEARING to maximize the potential of your engine. I see no reason to spin a low rpm/high torque engine out of it's torque band. You'll extend your engine's service life, have better fuel economy and overall improved performance. I'm currently running a .72 S10 T5 transmission but have found the Camaro W/C T5 has an even better gear spread which will maximize performance within the torque band. If you haven't driven a GM Inline 6 with a 5 speed (and the correct gearing) you've missed a really fun experience.
As was pointed out, there are numerous "standard" add-on parts to slightly improve performance....some inexpensive machine shop modifications such as drilling the crank for a SBC harmonic balancer bolt to draw on your H/B, tweaking your full-flow filtering system, modifying the timing cover so it can be pulled without dropping the pan, and I also suggest a full rotational balance. So why balance a low-rpm engine? On my 60-235 we found a 13 gram differential in rod weights in the running core I purchased. Regardless of what anybody says, I'm thoroughly convinced it was additional money well spent.
The whole key to getting a good running engine is to find a really competent, enthusiastic engine machinist/builder. There are some little improvements he can suggest that will insure you get the most bang for your buck.
Dave | | |
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