Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 261 Cadillac - I'm doin' it!?!?!?!?!

I've got my 261 in the shop and it's been cleaned and the deck milled. I found out about the 261 Cadillac and ran it by the machine shop. After he saw Tom Langdon's article, he says it makes plenty sense! Just so happens most of my parts came in today for the rebuild but he says no problem with returning them.

I've done all the searching I can do on this forum and looks like no one has done one. Am I gonna' be the guinney pig? Just send $100.00 from each member for R&D and I'll do it and write an article as I go along...ok $50.00 ...$25.00???....50 cents...Aw hell, I'll just do it! Just convince me to do so!

Tom

Just wondering where this project is and if you are taking pics to walk the rest of us through it . Way to go on doing the project.

Did you see the Cadillac 261 for sale in the Classifieds:
Category: Parts for sale

Subcategories: Performance

Price $1200

Description

For Sale: Tom Langdon (Stove Bolt Engine Co.) built Chevrolet "Cadillac" 261 short block. Bored to 285ci. Freshly rebuilt, never used. Purchased in April, at the Charlotte Auto Fair, for $1600. We are going to use a 400 small block instead, so this engine can now be purchased for $1200. Still have receipt of purchase. Ph. (336)222-8080, or email me at, ehardy1@triad.rr.com
Contact Information

Contact: Spanky Hardy
Location: Burlington, North Carolina 27215
usa

Dear Mr. Hoyt;

That's a great deal, all right.

Shipping to the west coast is what kills it for us.

I have several "in the works" now. Parts are all over the country sitting on docks due to the high fuel cost.

Someone 'back east' will grab that one.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........I chickened out. The rebuilder gave me a WTF??? Besides he already had the rebuild parts for the Chevy 261 in hand. He growled (he's 74 years old I'm 54) and I capitulated! Next time!!! For SURE!
Tom

Dear Tom;

This is typical of 'mainstream' auto people etc.

The costs are a BIG factor too, as there's about $2,000.00 in just the parts involved, with the crank & pistons about half. Plus a lot of special machine work ($1,000+/-) for the block/head. It's easy to get 4K in one these days.

Simple logic tells most "why bother" as a SBC 400" (used running) is $300.

I have several 'in the works' but doubt now with gas @ $3.25 they will ever sell.

Call Patrick's & see if he has some +.125 (flat) pistons (cast) for the 261. Add his F-290 cam & just "go with that"....

BTW: I'm 65 this year & started doing this in l954.

Good luck.