Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines The Cadillac 261

Hey guys. Just wondering what everyone thought on the article in the 12 port news. I am thinking of doing something like that. Comments please!! Putting a 261 in a 48 Fleetline.

Dear Mr. C;

It's great!

The writer was an engineer for GM for many years, as you can see by his design (all GM) etc.

Look how it gets 290" without adding any weight to the rotating mass. Really cool.

My only improvement would be to go + .125 & use Ross pistons with a slight dome.

You watch this 'Cadillac' 6 will be "GRREAT"
(like tony the tiger)on the street/strip!!!

John M., #3370

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By no way was I putting anyone down. (I can just tell from guys talking and what I've read that Tom Langdon forgot more than I'll ever know about inliners )Just thought I would get some talk going. I'm new at this inliner stuff.

Looks great to me. I have a 261 to rebuild shortly and this looks like the only added expense is the crank grinding. The other parts may even be less expensive than new 261 parts. As I would build a street engine I would probably go with the .080 over bore to allow enough room for one more rebuild.

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Gael
37 chevy sedan, 261,t5
57 pickup
58 burb

What caught my eye was the mention of a similiar "Caddilac" 292. I wish I'd seen this article before I assembled my mill. I couldn't get forged .030 over 292 pistons anymore. If I'd known about the Caddy option I would be stylin' now.

The article is in the mail on it's way to me. I just got a 261 to drop into my 48 Fleetmaster coupe and am anxious to see what this build-up involves.

I asked about this in another post and didn't really get the answer I wanted. If I stroked/bored my 261 to 290, how reliable would it be in a driver? It would be nice to have an engine like that, but when this car is done, I want to be able to really DRIVE it. 3-4 hour drives aren't uncommon, sitting in Chicago traffic for hours is also not uncommon, plus I'd like to be able to drive it longer distances, like Texas. Is that asking too much for a bored/stroked 261?

thanks,
Joe


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'50 Chevy Fleetline DeLuxe ('55 235)
'48 Chevy Fleetmaster coupe ('60 235)
Chicago
http://www.geocities.com/hellfish122

Well, the Caddy parts supposedly don't add any more rotating mass, so the stress to the bearings and rings will not change. That leaves rod stress. The newer rods are probably stronger than the old cast 261 rods, so you can probably rev to 4500 without undue stress. The stock 261, geared right, will last just as long as a 235 if it is not abused, so I would not hesitate to take it on any road trips. If you balance everything perfectly and keep the mixture under control and run a good oil filter you should be able to outlive a stock 235 easily. The 261 block was specifically designed for trucks and busses and can take a lot of heat abuse. The castings are thick and the cooling passages are good. I would run a 261 bypass thermostat in it but it should not complain on long trips.

I bet the caddified 261 really pulls some good torque and you could get away with 3.08 gears for cruising with good power.

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1950 Chevy pickup with '62 261, 4 speed.

Has anyone found forged slugs yet? I still want to turbo this motor, but hesitate to use cast...

Did you check with Ross?? I think they have a forged set.

Good luck, John M., #3370.

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261's have forged rods. I would be a little wary about cutting so much metal off a 40+ year old crankshaft and then punishing it by adding more power and even worse, more rpm's.Do you think this is a valid concern? Does the metal change over time from the strees of combustion?

Dear Tony;

If ballanced and not abused the design is just fine. I have built several(278")and ran them at 5500 RPM often and never blew one.

The 'Cadillac' is just a new way to get more CID without spending a lot of money.

Hope this helps, John M.......

John M., #3370.

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Where can I find more info on this "Caddy" 261? Is there an article or such I can get? I'm intrigued, and I want to build a real neat six for my 62 pickup. Thanks!

You must become a dues paying member of "Inliners International" and then receive
"12 Port News" which is where the article is published.You would have to order a back issue I think.

Dear Joe;

Drew is right, It's the Sept./Oct. 2003 issue.

I think there $3.00 + dues. You will also get the next 6 issues free as a paid member.

When you join they will tell you how etc.

Welcome aboard, John M.....

Back issue are 3.50 each 5.00 for a double. Plus a 1.00 shipping at this time. I am The Holder of the Back Issue. And Member ship dues are 28.00 US
and 38.00 Can. Over Seas IN US Funds

#3220 Fla. Chap.Head }[oooooo]

Looks like I'd better send some $. Thanks guys!

Hey Joe,
I am currently in the process of the Cadillac 261 right next door to you in Sandpoint, Idaho. I have been taking my time on it (started 2 years back) but am getting closer. My crank is being turned, rods getting fitted to pistons. I am hoping to have the bottom end done this summer. Then its off to headland... I originally was to turbo this project, but wanted to do it right if I was gonna do it. That meant Fuel injection and such. Well, I decided I should just build it and enjoy it as is.... This is going into my 59 Chevy Fleetside P/U. 3.08 rear with Saginaw 4 sp. Feel free to ask any questions... moondog@sandpoint.net

Has anyone finished this "Cadillac 261"? I am very interested in hearing about the results. I am currently in the beginning stages of a 261 build. I have some brand new .030 over pistons but would love to make a "290" out of it using the Caddy parts if the performance gains are worth it. Thanks in advance, Bob

Anybody know anyone who has finished this build? Gotta be somebody out there.

Word is that this is an old trick among a handful of engine builders. Tom Langdon wrote the article in the 12 Port News, so I'd give him a jingle. If you have any performance engine shops in your area just take the article to one of those guys, doesn't sound like rocket science.