Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 261 vs 292

As some of you know I'm pulling out my 235 for new bearings. While talking to a parts supplier here, he mentioned a running 261 in a 60 pontiac for sale, 250.00 bucks. Thats almost cheaper then new bearings and polishing the crank. I know I'd need a motor mount kit though. I don't intend on keeping the 235 forever, I thought I'd some day upgrade to a 250 or 292. But know I'm wondering if I should go for the 261. Here are my intentions. I want to keep the car period correct but upgraded for H.P. and speed. I don't need crazy 'fast and furious' type speed just 'take my 53 seriously' type speed. Plus I want to do road trips. Not a trailer queen here. I'd like to take it here from Canada and drive to Viva Las Vegas at some point. But it will be mostly city driving. I have no clue as to tranny or rear end I'll be putting in it as of yet. I could go either standard or auto. But would like something a little bit better then the three gears I have now. By the way I'm young and just learning so I'll probably have lots of questions in the future. So what are the biggest pros and cons of the 261 vs 292.

Red, the 261 would be an easy swap. Everything is basicaly the same. I'm not sure what your 53 uses for motor mounts but you should be able to transfer them to the 261 with no problems. The 261 has very good torque at moderate rpm. If you use an overdrive trans, stick or automatic, you can have a nice cruiser. I have one in a 37 sedan with a T5 5 speed and a 3.73 rear end. Took it from northern Illinois to Flordia this spring and ran 65 to 75 MPH all the way. No problems and got about 21 mpg. The 5 speed will be easier to hook up than the automatic but both are do able.
The 261 will be an easier swap than the 292.

Gael

I agree with the Chevyman, I'd snap up that 261 quick. Most of your 235 parts will work as well.

I like my 261. Lots of torque with minimal fuss and pretty good fuel economy. It's a great replacement for a 235. It looks right, too.

Is the 261 capable of doing the longer trips though. What kind of HP can I get out it for without blowing the bank. I think I'd like to stick with a standard transmission, a least four speed, is a saginaw going to do it. What are some of the better combos?

Chevyman's hit the nail on the head! His combination with the 5-speed OD tranny and 3.73 rear gears is about as good as you can get. It's not a hard switch and you won't believe how sweet the 5-speed makes driving in town and on the road. My recommendations are: put the 261 in and keep it fairly stock for now, hook up the S-10 5-speed ($125 to $250 in almost any salvage yard), Find a nice Chevy rear end with the right gears and you'll fall in love with your car all over again! Then, when your bank account gets a little fatter, opt for a set of cast headers and a nice set of dual exhausts. Next, upgrade your carburetion to two of Tom Langdon's progressive two-barrel carbs and intake. Convert your ignition to electronic and a hot cam.......take it in steps, pay as you go and you'll improve at every step.

What gearing on the T5 would be best with 3.73 rear end. My 53 is my first car that is rear wheel drive, so this gearing thing is pretty new for me. If any one know a web site that explains gearing ratios and stuff that might help me.

I didn't know that 60 Pontiac's came with an inline 261??--Paul

A Canadian Pontiac thing.
For better or worse GM liked to sell different combinations north of the border.
Near bottom of this page is scan of 61 Pontiac brochure listing a 261.
(I had to blow up picture but it's there)
http://www.bruneauperformance.ca/printads.html

Well, you can do the Caddillac piston mod that is in a recent 12 port news, and get pretty good power out of it, or you can get about 175-200 hp with a decent cam and intake. Stock advertised was 150 but it realisticly is about 130 or so. The torque is healthy. It accelerates the truck well from 1000-4000 rpm in any gear you want. I'm running mine stock right now but with a dual point distributor, which seems to make it start easier.

I am running mine with an SM420 4 speed and 4.11 rearend but that is not the best combination. I have a brand new 4 speed 3-groove Saginaw and a 3.07 6-lug rearend waiting to go in there, and that should work pretty well. I'm getting some oil consumption so I am going to swap it for a 235 and rebuild it.

It has been very reliable and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it on a long trip as long as you keep the cruising rpms below 3000. The Canadian blocks didn't have the full flow oil filter like the US truck blocks did, so a conversion may be wise.

Thanks for the info Pete--- sure wish "261's" were that easy to come by here in Texas----Paul

I, of course, don't know much about 261's.
Is a 261 from a Canadian car a direct replacement for a truck engine
(except for the previously mentioned oil filter conversion)