47-55.1 261 Straight 6 Engine Rebuild

[1badtransam]

I just picked up a '52 5 window 3 speed with a '55 261 straight 6 in it. I want to rebuild the motor and was wondering the best place to buy the rebuild kit.

I know where to get a number of kits, but it there somewhere that is the best?

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Fred

[GreasyLikeaBurger]

I dont know about the best place, but a good wealth of info could be found on Toms site https://www.12bolt.com/. Hes got a few videos of them dynoing a 292 or 261, which was putting down some great numbers.

[51 3600]

You might find YouTube videos made by Volfandt interesting or helpful. He has a year old video on rebuilding a 235 for his '49 3100. "235 Chevy complete engine rebuild. 1949 Chevy 3100, Volume 52"

He has many other videos about his '49 Chevy and a '51 GMC he resently sold. Latest video is a reveiw of Pertronix ignition which give more info about the 235 engine.

[MJN]

I just rebuilt my 235 but didn't use a kit- I put together my own 'kit' and shopped around for the parts I wanted/needed from different vendors with help from my local engine machine shop. Langdon's Stovebolt and stovebolt.com will be good references for you with the rebuild. Wouldn't hurt to get a big truck factory service manual either for detailed procedures and torque specs.

[mr48chev]

Langdons for 216/235 and 261, 12 Bolt Tom for 194,239,250 & 292.

You can still buy most of the engine hard parts Through Napa or some other parts houses.

I'm not sure what Northern Auto Parts has for the early engines and you can check Rock Auto for Name brand gasket sets and hard parts but I don't have time right now to take a look.

[Volfandt]

Thanks for the shoutout 51 3600, Florida is definitely nice this time of year (said as I look out my window at 20 degree snowy temps)...

Fred,
A 261 is a great engine to rebuild and power your pickup.
As been said in this thread, there's numerous places to buy these internal engine rebuild parts with NAPA probably being the most popular FLAPS choice that'll have most everything you need. (Clevite bearings and associated parts).
Whatever automotive machine shop you use may be your best bet. There's some parts you'll not be able to order until you've got the machine work done, pistons, rings, main & rod bearings. If you're doing a complete bottom end rebuild I recommend a full head rebuild also. The machine shop I used rebuilt my 216 and also my 235 head much cheaper than I so I went turnkey on both heads.
I used Tom Langdon for the manifolds and carbs and they've worked flawlessly in all 4 seasons that I drive my 49 3100. My 49 is a cruiser and not a trailer queen (actually far from being pretty, LOL).
You can use Tom Langdon for the Cam, lifters & pushrods but you can also contact any major Cam manuf/re-conditioner for their recommendations.
If you stay stock with the Cam, carb & exhaust you'll still have a good powerplant for your truck. A slightly hotter cam will make a difference in the seat of your pants meter... Especially when coupled with better carburetion and exhausting additions.
These old engines had a long production run and the parts haven't hit the unobtainium level yet but as everything now adays they are proud of 'em....

In any case you'll find that time, aggravation and expense will be well worth it when everytime you go out to your Stovebolt engine powered vehicle and it starts right up and carries you to whatever destination you aim it, just like it did in the 50's. You'll find that it was worth every minute of it.

BTW, I'm no expert and haven't stayed in a Holiday In in ages so take this with the proverbial grain of salt but I have BTDT.

Good luck
Dave

[mr48chev]

Those engines aren't rare or exotic when it comes to working on them. It's a good idea to have hard seats installed for the exhaust valves and the rocker arm assembly might be a bit of a challenge for younger machine shop workers who aren't experienced in working on them. They aren't hard to do but you have to dig back in the back of the valve grinder tooling box for the attachment to face the rockers and there is some work involved in freshening up the rest of the rockers and shafts. All standard procedure 40 years ago but now a lot of guys haven't worked on them.