I'm still pretty new to auto mechanics so please bear with me if I ask some dumb questions. I have some mechanical ability, but little automotive experience. My car is a 1951 Chevy 2 door sedan that is reasonably stock. Recently the old 216 straight 6 blew its timing gear. I'm now looking to upgrade to a bigger straight 6. At some point, I'll have some questions about setting up dual carbs and splitting exhaust manifolds. Until then I'll search the archives and stay out of the way.
Of course, everyone likes photos so here is a shot of Chevy in the garage.
Welcome from Niagara Falls. Nice looking car. I am not 100% sure but this old memory of mine seems to recall that the Canadian Pontiac , and I,m not sure of the year, is basically the same as the early Chevvy in line six and it is a 261 cu. incher. An old stock car driver who ran at Ransomville told me he was running one and was a consistant winner there and they couldn't figure how he got an old Chevvy six to run so well. Perhaps someone else on this site can confirm or deny this. My memory is pretty good but also pretty short, it was 50 years ago .
It's true. The 261 was in big trucks and Pontiacs. They arent super easy to find and they are very popular with the early Chevy guys so my chance of find a reasonably priced 261 isnt very likely. I'm still looking for one just the same. I'm just not hopeful of finding one in my timeline.
The stock 261 has about the same output as the stock 265 V8. I've heard of them reaching 300 hp when built for the track.
The 235 or 261 motor will bolt up to your trans but I believe you will have to use the timing cover plate off your old motor as that is where it will need to mount and you will need a shorter water pump from a 1954 235 motor. Go to the site "Inliners.org" and do some searching on there. Lots of good info
You will need the adapter plate to put the water pump in the proper location or it will overheat . match the starter to the flywheel 6 volt or 12 volt . 261 has captain bars....II..... at the starter and at the front of the engine under the front of the exhaust manifold. 55 to 62 Canadian Pontiac's will have a 261 unless someone swapped it out at some time . if you are looking to make HP find a 292 the 235/261 are all right but will never make big power the upside is they can be found cheep and unless they are done to the nine's can be picked up for a couple hundred bucks complete with enough life left in them to run another 5 or 6 years..Here is some handy information on what to look for
Thanks for the input. The 230-250-292 will all require some modification to my car and a swap to an open driveline. I'm trying to keep my original tranny and torque tube. I'm shooting for period correct. If I can get 150 hp out of a 235/261 I'd be happy. That's a huge increase from the 92 hp of my old 216.
Welcome Wayne , from Portland Ont . I am running a 250 / T-5 / 3:42 rear . You are correrct in stating that to change the trans , you must change the diff -- lots of work , BUT what a runner !!! Follow GM Dad's lead on Inliners .org -- LATER -- DON / Fleet 51
I just realized that we have the same car...sort of. Yours looks much cooler And I'm sure faster.
The pic of your car brings back memories. My car was the same colour and had the same visor and skirts but was a 4 door automatic. I just had to change the colour . I believe it is Seafoam Green and it just didn't do it for me. maybe we will meet up at acruise nite sometime and we can compare notes.
Thanks for thinking of me. I bought a pair of 1960 235's last night so I'm good for now. Also, Slim came by today and dropped off a parts motor and several other parts. It was a hell of a score for the money and it was delivered to my door. Couldnt ask for a better deal or have met a better guy.
I just realized that we have the same car...sort of. Yours looks much cooler And I'm sure faster.
The pic of your car brings back memories. My car was the same colour and had the same visor and skirts but was a 4 door automatic. I just had to change the colour . I believe it is Seafoam Green and it just didn't do it for me. maybe we will meet up at acruise nite sometime and we can compare notes.
I'd love to check out your car once I get this one back on the road.