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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.
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 | Just curious but I was wondering if there are tweaks that can be done to this motor for more pulling power when used in a heavy duty truck. I've read here all the upgrades done to stovebolts for more horsepower for lighter more performance oriented trucks but my thoughts are that this would be moving the power up the rev range and be taking away the low end end grunt a big truck needs that the stock motor has. Living above 7,000 feet in elevation I've been thinking that if nothing else maybe a two barrel carburetor might make up for the lack of oxygen by additional air volume when pulling high mountain passes The truck runs pretty good as is but if there's room for improvement..... 
Last edited by sleeve; 08/31/2012 8:52 AM.
1945 Chevrolet G 506 1.5 Ton Military 4X4
1967 Jeep Cj5 with 283 SBC
| | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 55 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2011 Posts: 55 | I am currently doing the same thing. I am going through the engine completely and was going to look into possibly a camshaft upgrade. For sure I am going to add headers going into a single three inch exhaust. Pertronix electronic ignition, a cold air intake, full flow oil conversion with a Heavy Duty oil cooler. The stock system from what I have read is pretty hard to beat as far as low end is concerned. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | sleeve, you don't indicate if this is an early model 261 or the later '58-'62 engine.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,629 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,629 | Should be the 58-62 engine.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 |
1945 Chevrolet G 506 1.5 Ton Military 4X4
1967 Jeep Cj5 with 283 SBC
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | The 261 was made for big truck (in Chevrolet terms). All years came with a high-lift cam (many would argue it is simply a "higher lift" cam).
The only significant difference over the 261 years (besides an later increase in compression) was the only use of a full-flow oil filtration in any GM vehicle (1958-1963).
The USA truck 261 was made to be a high-torque hard-working engine.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 | So probably stock is the way to go for heavy big bolt truck use.
1945 Chevrolet G 506 1.5 Ton Military 4X4
1967 Jeep Cj5 with 283 SBC
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 | You mentioned a bigger carb but first I would check and be sure you have a 261 carb to begin with. If the carb has ever been replaced it most likely has a 235 carb on it. The correct carb makes a big difference.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 | You mentioned a bigger carb but first I would check and be sure you have a 261 carb to begin with. If the carb has ever been replaced it most likely has a 235 carb on it. The correct carb makes a big difference. How is that done, by measurement of the throat bore and if so what dia. would the 261 carb be?
Last edited by sleeve; 09/01/2012 5:47 PM.
1945 Chevrolet G 506 1.5 Ton Military 4X4
1967 Jeep Cj5 with 283 SBC
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 | The throttle bore on the 261 carb I have is about 1.760", a 235 is about 1.560".
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | |
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