It looks like this as of two days ago.Ross zero decked pistons,typical 3/4 reground cam from Oregon Cam,tubular pushrods,stock 848 head with new valve seat,Buick 455 springs and aftermarket retainers.It all went together as planned ,more or less.Needed a header so I built one from pieces of a SBC header.This engine gets the water pump adapter and 216 pump like I've done on several engines.Just after Christmas I'll swap it into my 50 Chevy pu

looks good! What is the water pump adapter- a flat plate with holes to suit?

If so, then thats my vote as best way to get 261 to fit earlier bods. and I guess it cools good that way? Any difference between the 216 water pumps and a '54 235 water pump?

I see the late model water pump big hole and the later full flow filter with its "small" (hah) hoses, the road draft tube, but whats that standing next to it (the vertical tube)? Maybe this is a later calif. road draft tube. Yeah it dont dump out the bottom.

Sure looks good dressed in black kinda like Johnny Cash.

I'm guessing you have the down draft tube just positioned vertically temporarily? Does look "bad-in black"!

Later 261 type pumps have a 3/8 belt as does the 54 pump I believe.Yes the pump adapter is a flat plate.
Drew,the road draft tube has been cut and welded to point up.It gets a breather on top,the rear of the valve cover has a small tube for a PCV valve.I've done this in the past and it works well.
Painted black because I had two cans of special stealth black paint

Tony,

I saw these posted under the "We Need a Dedicated 261 Thread" on the H.A.M.B. When I got the email notification that you had posted to that thread, I was with my wife headed to get Christmas gifts for our son. While looking at that header you fabbed I made noises like I was looking at porn and she, for obvious reasons, got concerned.

I showed he what I was looking at and she said, "At least its not a naked chick."

Thanks for making us laugh and for providing inspiration with your build.

Neat idea. Never thought of that. Might consider doing that to my draft tube as I've cussed it at times when it was in the way of running fuel and vacuum lines on my 261.What do you use or make for the breather?

Something like this,12 bucks or so

OK. Thanks.

Well,the engine is running fine in the truck.Took it out for about 45 minute ride ,the weather is much nicer than usual right now.The engine feels good for what it is.The Oregon Cam 818 grind is nice in this truck,smooth idle at 650 rpm.

I like your header. Does it sound good?

It's got a single 2-1/2 inch pipe with a Magnaflow muffler,no tailpipe.Sounds like a UPS truck on crack

Looks very nice ! .

GM used an inverted Road Draft Tube in the 235 / 261 engines when the PCV option was added , they still show up @ swap meets often , I grab 'em when I can as they're usually dirt cheap being a 'mystery part ' and there's no down side to running a PCV valve .

Nate,good to hear you are still around.

I've got a 2" exhaust on a stock 235 with a Magnaflow and a buddy always says it sounds like a UPS truck.

Tony, can you post some video of the exhaust note on yours?

Tony, do you have the specs for the cam? I haven't decided on one for my 261.

Thanks, Tim

Oregon Cam provides a detailed cam spec right off the grinding machine.To simplify a bit it's an their 818 grind,211 degrees duration at .050 lift,total lift at valve based on a 1.47 rocker ratio is .422.Lobe separation is 110 degrees. Duration at .006 is 276 degrees,generally this might be called "advertised duration".The cam dialed in on the numbers but I used a SBC offset key to advance it two degrees.
In this 261 with zero deck Ross flat top pistons,9-1 compression,a 350 CFM Rochester 2G carb on a modified stock intake,initial timing set at 10 degrees with a total of 36 degrees.....the engine idles smooth at 700 rpm ,the valve action is no nosier than stock.Feels real good through the gears in the 50 Chevy truck.Just a few brief test rides because of nasty winter weather.
On the exhaust sound,single exhaust inline 6's always sound like a UPS truck.