The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1954 Chevy 261 engine

Hello All,
This is the first time to this site for me. I have the luck of finding a complete 1954 chevy 261 engine in a wrecking yard. My question is, if we could rate the 261's from 54 -62, which would be better? Or are all of the 261's from 54-62 just about the same? I know that the later engines came with the an oil filter as opposed to the oil cannister. Are there any other major differences?

I don't want to jump on this engine just because it is a 261, my goal is to maximize HP an performance. If there is a better 261 to be had, I will hold out and try to locate the best year.

chevy51,

I think you have identified the major diffence in 261 engines: the 1954-1957 had an optional by-pass, canister (remote), oil filter, while the 1958-1962 had an optional full-flow, canister (remote), oil filter.

Maybe someone else knows other differences.

Tim

I don't have my 54 Shop manual in front of me now but I seem to remember the Cam bearings are smaller diameter and the main bearings have the dowels in the upper shell for 54 and 55-1st series, same as 235. The later engines have larger cam bearings and slip-in bearing inserts. I personally would not shy away from a 54 261.

You can easily modify that engine to full flow filter, so that's not a problem. Believe the cam bearings are smaller. It has the 'HIGH' water pump, easier to fit in pre 55 cars and trucks. I don't see any negatives, go for it. I have a 55 first series 261 (about same as yours) just about a bolt in for any 216 etc.

The early 261 used the same cam as the blue flame six in the 53-54 vette. I would not consider them to be inferior to the later 261, save for the oil filter.

Alright!! another '54 261 gets resurrected!

I also found mine in a local wrecking yard. I've had it rebuilt and modified for the full-flow filter. I'm still in the process of putting it in the '53 1/2-ton, should be up and running by the 4th of July.

I really like the high water pump on this engine, It will help with the cooling at idle I've been told. Does yours have the factory PCV system? Mine does, that's another plus!

Steve

The '54 261 also has shimmed main brng caps. That would be the only thing that I don't like about 'em.

My plans are to go through this engine and do a total rebuild. I'm not too knowledgeable on the "shimmed main bearings", is it possible to replace these types of bearings?

The shimmed main bearings allow for minor adjustments due to bearing wear. Usually you don't have to shim when they're new. Unless you're getting the engine balanced, you won't have any problems. And if you are getting it balanced, you should get the main bearings line-bored to match the crank journals, negating the shims.