The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop rebuilding a 261

I've got a 59-62 261. I just pulled the oilpan and checked one bearing clearence, it's o.k, I've got to check the rest. Anyway, I'm looking for info on cams and milling the head and whatnot.Any info would be usefull. Anyone know much about Clifford?

A "classic" reference is the Racer Brown-Frank McGurk article in the May 1955 HRM. I've followed it in building my 261s. For more modern information, I would first call Patrick Dykes or Tom Langdon.

Hoyt

thanks, i've already found the mcgurk article.I'm just looking for input. So you were happy with using those techniques?

Dustman,
I built a 261 for my '50 pickup and have had very satisfactory results. The short block I just had a competent machine shop do a quality rebuild, using more modern pistons etc. I got my cam from Tom Langdon but I see he isn't offering them any longer. It was the "Bull dog" cam and it was ground by Delta Cams that are out in Washington, I believe. I like Patrick Dykes but I have to say that I first ran his "3/4" cam and it was OK but the cam ground by Delta was superior, for sure. We upgraded the valve springs, did a good valve job and milled about .040 off the head. I found an old McGurk intake at a swap meet and ordered 2 of the Holley-Webber carbs from Tom Langdon with the linkage and air cleaners. That has worked wonderfully. It makes great power and will still get 20+ mpg down the highway. We used a set of Fenton cast iron headers with plain old glass pack mufflers - I have to say - it sounds great. It is hard to remember all the details - this engine has been a work horse and we drive it all the time. It is my wife's favorite vehicle and we probably have over 90,000 miles on the truck (including a fair amount of 1/8 mile drag racing). Oh, the rear end is out of a '78 full size Blazer with 4.11 gears and a Tremec TKO 3550 5 speed trans.

Arpee,
What was the idle like on your 261 with the bulldog cam from Langdon? Was it very "lumpy"? I have that cam for mine and not certain I am going to use it yet. Was looking at the 3/4 grind from Patricks but can't decide. You say the bulldog grind was superior. How so? Langdon also sold me the carter webers for my 261, I wonder if that is enough or should I go with the bigger Holleys. I have had port work done to the heads and bumping the compression to 9-1, fenton headers and fenton intake.

Thanks Arpee, thats exactly the kind of input I'm after.I guess I'll call Langdon's and find out the specs on the cam, I've got a grinder nearby if Tom no longer has them.

Just a note: Tom won't be around until next weekend. He's off to the big Hershey Swap Meet in Pa. Not sure if wife Joyce is home or went to Hershey too.

Thanks, DrewP.

hershey swap, as in, carlisle auto show?

No, Carlisle was last weekend. Hershey starts Wednesday.Oct.7-10. See the Swap Meet forum for info.

William S.
We like the idle on the Bull dog cam. It is a little lumpy but actually sounds good. It idles at about 700 rpm and has good throttle response. It sounds better (to me) and makes better power than the 3/4 cam from Patrick's. It could be that I had a bad cam (or lifters) from Patrick's because his "ate itself" in relatively short amount of use. (We were careful with breakin, type of oil etc) Tom would be your best source for carb selection on your combination but he recommended the Holley-webers for mine. With your headwork etc it sounds like the H-W's would work for you as well. I've had no "porting" done but had them cleaned up and am running about the same CR as you.
My 2 cents worth.