O.K. , you know how older junkyards use old school busses and delivery vans to make the rear perimiter fence ? I always ask to poke in those big trucks but they always tell me " nothing good in those , get away from there ! " To-day I found a junkyard that was recently purchased by some nice Russian guys who know _NOTHING_ about cars older than 1990 . they let me poke in the junk fence and lo ! in a big old P - Van I found a complete 261 engine , minus only the carby and aircleaner (O.K.~ I found the air cleaner but someone used it for .22 Cal. target practice so it's no good) . The have to move the van and flip it so the engine can be cut out so the lowest price I could wrangle was $150.00 , sold only as a core for rebuilding . Sounds good to me , what do you all think ? . I don't know if the engine turns or not as it's in this old van and the van is complete so I couldn't reach the front crank pulley to turn it , here in Los Angeles I cannot find a 261 for the life of me . I welcome your comments and suggestions..... -Nate
RE: CORE 261 Engine Value In So. Ca Nate! How many years have you been looking for one of these local to your area????? Have you discovered the secret of getting younger and are just not telling us about it????? They are not making any more of these you know! Congrats on your find!!!! Nobody deserves it more!
RE: CORE 261 Engine Value In So. Ca THANX ! I was beginning to wonder if I'd farted in bed or what ~ no other responses.... Now I gotta figure out how to _pay_for it ;-) -Nate
RE: CORE 261 Engine Value In So. Ca Aw, you can't take it personally if most folk don't realize how hard those units are to find (anywhere)...and shipping one has got to be ridiculous! Let us know how it comes along and if you need anything for it. By the way, is that throttle body bigger than 235s or are carbs interchangable with 235s?
RE: 261 Carbys LOL ~ I don't take it personally ;-) Yes , the 261 did indeed have it's own Rochester " B " series carby bit 99 % are all long gone and the 235 version fits and looks identical so no worries . -Nate
Let's cut to the chase Nate! I can't believe nobody has asked the most important question about this engine swap!! So, what's the plan for that finely tuned and lovingly maintained 235 that's been haulin' you and the '49 around all these years? Mike M '27 Chevy '41 John Deere B '49 GMC FC-150
RE: My Old 235 LOL !! It's a ' mystery ' engine Mike ~ supposedly " fully rebuilt " when I bought the truck , the oil pressure is the normal 15 PSI idle , pegs the gauge when cruising , no bearing noises nor piston slap , doesn't smoke and runs fine . The usual oil seepage here & there . I'll just sell it -but- you know I am slow to work on my own stuff , right ? . Once I finally go get the 261 and get it all cleaned up and in my truck and then drive it for a few thousdand miles to ensure it's not going to blow up (that's right , I hope to tinker it back to life rather than rebuild/overhaul it) , _then_ my old 235 will be up for grabs and prolly cheap too .
