Hey all,
I've been reading back in the archives for a few hours, and have learned a lot. However, I have some very situationally specific questions.
Here's my situation.
I'm restoring a rare pickup. At this point, I want it to appear stock in every way. It's a 55 1st series with the original, very well running 235 in place. It runs quite well, even though it has 94,000 original miles!
I'm curious what kind of horsepower, (read noticeable increase in performance) can I expect out of a purely internal rebuild of the 235?
I have a line on a 56 261 shortblock and an 848 head that would need the steam hole mod, at a very reasonable price for the two. Again, I want a pre-58 block so I can maintain stock appearance. (pre-58 doesn't use the full flow oiling system)
If I were to take this block/head combo and do internal work on it, what kind of hp can I reasonably expect?
Now, this truck in particular, I'm looking to restore to a visibly perfect representation of stock...but i want to be able to drive it in today's traffic at a reasonable pace. This is the only reason I'm not dead set on using the OE 235. I wanna sneak some extra ponies in.
Next question is this. I have a 54 3100 that has had a 55 1st rear end put in it. (open driveline.) It has a 55 2nd 235 in it.
I have a 61 261 that needs a home. I'd like to build that engine out and possibly use it in this pickup. This one, I don't care what it looks like visibly, as I'm not concerned with originality. What kind of horsepower could be achieved on a very street friendly hop-up? I'm not planning on racing anyone any time soon...I just wanna have a nice healthy potential for acceleration.
Last question. I also have a line on a pair of 58 270's also at a very reasonable price. I know there is a bit of surgery to stuff one of these under my hood. Does the 58 270 have an appreciable advantage over the 61 261 in terms of hp potential?
What is the cost comparison between the two? Is the 270 considerably more or less expensive to hop up vs. the 261? I know that both are more expensive that an U.R.E. But, I do believe that 6=8. So, enlighten me. I have some options, but I need to make an educated decision, and the "lines" I have on these engines won't last long.
Thanks so much for your patience with my ignorance!
