BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
| | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
10 members (frogfarmer, Shaffer's1950, JW51, Steelonsteel, klhansen, Wayne67vert, qdub, Peggy M, 32vsnake, Hush),
564
guests, and
1
robot. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics126,780 Posts1,039,292 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | 
#83943 10/09/2007 7:51 AM | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 39 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 39 | i HAVE BOTH MOTORS BUT CAN NOT DESIDE WHICH ONE TO USE THEY WILL BE REBUILT AND GOING IN A CHEVY TRUCK 1/2 TON IS THERE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN POWER ON THEM '
WHICH WAY TO GO........ | | |
#83944 10/09/2007 1:00 PM | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,400 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,400 | No,
Being a Chevy truck, the 261 will fit without any mods to the front engine mount. Also, how do you plan to rebuild? I sent my 261 to JASPER and had it rebuilt, took only 3 weeks and cost much less that a buddy who had a GMC engine rebuilt.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | |
#83945 10/10/2007 6:48 AM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | I can't speak to the power question, but the GMC was the hot rodder's favorite years ago.
The GMC is also made of a better alloy and is likely to last longer. Though I'd be surprised if you'll drive the truck enough miles to wear either motor out once its rebuilt properly.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
#83946 10/11/2007 5:23 PM | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | The jimmy has a better combustion chamber design, and the valves go straight up and down instead of being cocked like in the 235/261. The good thing about the 261 is that intakes are cheaper and the block is shorter.
If clearance isn't a problem, I would go for the GMC.
I'm replacing my 261 with a GMC but its a 302. There's no contest there. The GMC engines cost more to rebuild than the 261, at least in the US.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | |
#83947 10/14/2007 7:02 AM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 292 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2007 Posts: 292 | GMC 302 ? must be the old inline engine ?
1962 GMC K3000, GMC-379 V6.
| | |
#83948 10/14/2007 6:25 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 67 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 67 | Hi, I have a '52 GMC panel that had the 270 in it when I got it. The firewall was already modified for clearance, it's a long engine. The other option would be to remove the fan, move it forward and go with electric fans.
Royzell
| | |
#83949 10/15/2007 2:13 AM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 72 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 72 | Originally posted by 379MV6GMC-K3000:
GMC 302 ? must be the old inline engine ? Yup | | |
#83950 10/16/2007 4:03 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 72 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 72 | I am partial to the GMC myself. They are a better overall engine. Full pressure oil system, heavier rods, rocker arms were stronger, you may even be able to punch out that 270 to a 302. There are some old hot rod books that lay out more info in terms of advantages and such. GMC will cost more to rebuild for sure.
52 GMC Suburban...52 Chevy 3/4 ton...49 CHevy 1/2 ton Rod...49 GMC 1/2 ton retro rod project
| | |
#83951 10/16/2007 10:19 PM | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | GMC's cost quite a bit more to rebuild, unless you happen to only need stock internals. Then, you can buy NOS military parts (pistons, bearings, whatever), and they are pretty reasonable. If you want custom pistons or cams be prepared to pay.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | |
|
|
