Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 261 Hydraulic Lifter Conversion

I know that the Kanucks had a Pontiac 261 with two differences from the US version back in late 50s early 60s. The timing gear was fiber and the lifters were hydraulic. So, does anyone know if I can use those hyd. lifters in a US 261. Or, is there a mod that needs to be done to get oil pressure to the lifters? Anyone ever done it whose engine lived to tell about it?

The 261/235 engines have the same lifter bores.

The ones for the Canadian/Pontiac had hydrulic lifters for passenger car use and the USA 'truck engines' had solid.

The fiber cam gear was gone by 1954 in most here. Perhaps in Canada it was used to keep things quiet like the lifters.

Either way, solids are the better choice. Patrick's has the ones with the recessed push rod seat.

Good luck.

John: Why are solids better? I would think the hydraulics would be quiter and no adjustments. What is the down side?

The down side is that the hydraulic lifters aren't well designed and bleed down and tick, mostly due to air getting in the oil stream.

Also, you need a differant cam grind. The 261 will be choked with a standard 235 cam, and the stock 261/corvette cam is designed for solids, as are most aftermarket cams.