The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 - 261 cam the same ????

I have seen ads for a cam shafts, in varying places and on eBay, to fit a 235 and 261 L6. I was under the impression that the 261 had a higher lift cam than the 235. Its what made the 235 in the 54 Corvette special.

I have a 1959 261 from a Canadian built Pontiac I intend to rebuild and use. It needs a new cam shaft. Does anyone know where I can find a proper cam for this?

Thanks in advance
Walt L. Williams
La Verkin, UT

Every seeking to educate myself. I refuse to be one of the dumb masses.

Walt, Since he's out your way, why don't you call Patrick Dykes in AZ. Likely he can help you.

http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/index.htm

Patrick will try to sell you a non-GM cam with a more modified (higher) lift than on the higher lift 235 cam.

I think that the 261 cam and 235 cams are interchangeable in USA trucks (at least in the same years), but wait to hear from other for confirmation (Pre '68 Dave, for example).

Yes, they are interchangeable but if your looking for an original you can have one ground by Crane Cams. They have or had the spec's. Also check in over at the Inliners site, a lot of those guys have parts for sale.

I think the Pontiac engines had hydraulic lifters, so the grind on the cam is going to be different than the 261 truck engine with solid lifters. 'Course you are going to get new lifters anyway to go with your new cam, so you could switch to solid lifters if a stock 261 truck cam is your only option.

Kurt

I agree with Drew Patricks or Stovebolt Engine Co. are great resourses. I have a 235 block and I purchased a 261 stock cam from Patricks.

The cam Patricks sent me was a MC-293 from Engine Pro. That cam is for solid lifters, since your is Canadian you will need to very from the parts place you choose what you should have.

I realized you are asking about athe 261 cam. However this is what i asked patricks about the difference about the 57-57 235 and the 58-62 235 block. Here was their response these parts are interchangable among these two engines. These two engines (unless the 55-57 has the early style mains, are pretty much the same parts. They use the same parts all the way through. The alternative is the 53-54 engine which could have a steel cam and use the "milk can" style lifters thus using the 10/19" push rods. Conversely, if that engine has the iron cam and is the large journal 2.153", it would also use the same cam and lifters! See?

All of the 235 with the exception of the 53-54 engines use the same parts. The only exception would be a '55 that has the alternative main bearing type, so all the parts would be the same unless it has the different main. The oil pumps can be different (early uses M-29 and late uses M-45. The cams, rods, mains, pistons, rings, cams, and many other things are the same.

If I remember correctly, there are two different size bearing journals on 235/261 cams,depending on manufacture dates(early/late) some need a bronze drivegear on the dist. some need a steel gear. Some engines can have a hydrolic lifter cam, some can only have a solid lifter cam. I don't know which one the canadian pontiac engines used. You will need to find the answer to that and get the correct cam and lifters.
There are numerous places that can help you with that, Patrick's, Tom Langdon etc.. Good luck.