Hi All,
I have a 41 Chevy passenger car with the orginal 216.
This winter I'm going to swap for a later six (and a, T5, open driveline, late model rear end etc).

So far, I've purchased 2-235's, supposedly running off of craigslist for a very reasonable $$$.

Now, I see 2 261's listed on my local craigslist, one for $250 that cranks, but doens't start and one that runs for $350.
My question is, should I get the 261's. Are they that rare? I don't mind buying them if only for the "rare/cool" factor, but are they any harder to get rebuilt or get parts for?
Thanks.
Joe

Unless the 235's are the later full pressure oiling, they are not going to be any better of an upgrade over the 216 engine. All the 261's are the more desireable full pressure oiling and a much better upgrade even over a 235, so you would be gaining a better engine with the 261. As far as being rare, they were mostly a truck engine here in the US, and production #'s might not have been that high compared to passenger cars, but they aren't too hard to find.

Yes, the 235's are full oil pressure.

Well, given that fact, you would be gaining an additional 30 cubic inches give or take, as an advantage to using a 261. Since they aren't going to make that much power anyway, get all you can.

Kinda depends on what you're after.

If you want a full pressure oiling vintage looking 6, the engines you have are fine.

If part of what you are swapping for is more Gow (performance, HP, torque) then the 261 is a better deal.

If you want even more, the 261 can be bored as well as stroked (so can the 235, but the 261 can result in a larger combination still).

All the hot rod 235 parts will physically fit the 261 except the pistons (261 has a bigger bore stock).