I picked up a running (supposedly) '55 261. Motor #3733950. I also picked up a 235 with a bad lower end. The 235 has the good 848 head. I also got a set of Fenton headers. Besides that I am looking for some advice on cam, intake, ignition, carb etc. On a budget of course. Tranny is yet to be determined. Right now it is a SM-420. Would like to go with a variation of a 5 speed OD manual. Thanks guys.....you are a wealth of info!!
You have the good head, headers, and the exact cam GM chose to use in the 54 Vette so ignition and induction are what's left. I like the HEI from a 250/292 that been machined to fully engage the 235/261 oil pump; they are just so darned reliable and parts can be found anywhere. Absolutely nothing wrong with a Pertronics conversion or whole electronic distributors offered by several others. Since you have the floor shift about any two carb intake will fit without crashing into anything so your choice here. Two one bbl carb setup will increase both performance and mileage if sized correctly. A 261 @ 3500 rpm uses 265cfm of air so don't over carb---it makes one run like crap. Some use the original Rochesters, some Carters, and others Stromberg or Holley. Again, your choice. I like the low profile Autolite/Holley 1bbl carbs used on the 170/200/250 Ford I6 engines. Not the best for a fire breathing hot rod but a bolt on and forget it for street use. A balance tube between the the base plate spacer or adaptor smooths out the idle considerably. Check out the search for balancing the carbs.
That is exactly the info I was hoping for. Use the stock cam out of the 261? or 235? I was actually thinking of a little more aggressive cam from Partick's. Not looking for a fire breathing hot rod. Just want it to look period correct and sound great. Any performance we can get will be a pure bonus. I think I have a line on a 2 carb intake form the same source I got the motors. Not sure of the brand of the carbs or intake.
261 Use the 261 cam with solid lifters ~ you'll be well pleased with the power and it'll idle well and with those cheapo separate headers , you'll get the loud rapping exhaust you prolly want . Be sure to use a NEW cam & lifters ! . Isky still makes them , worth every penny . Once the noise makes you tired , simply add a crossover pipe as close up as you can and it'll run better as well as sound better , deeper tone and mellower until you really wind it up .
Multi - Carbys Oh yeah ~ since you're building this on a budget , go with the old late 1950's Brand 'F' low profile side bowl Holly 1BBL carbys , they're sturdy and work well , as the float bowls are in the front side , you can keep an eye out i the junkyards & Auto Swaps for the glass float bowls , this looks terrific when you pop the hood and they don't leak or cause any troubles . A separate , long coils ,soft return spring for each carby , balance them with the linkage disconnected then re - attach the linkage and adjust it's lift until the throttle plates go vertical just as the accelerator pedal hits the floor mat or carpet . You're going to love this ~ 2 X the power and better fuel economy too ! .
Intake & Exhaust You'll need to take both carbys apart on separate clean light colored towels and make sure the various bits , jets , power valve & spring , all match 100 % else you'll go bonkers trying to make it run right . A split exhaust produces rapping , a sharp exhaust note . This is why Fentons etc. , always suck ~ they're made for Racing where you need good scavenging when the engine is wound up tight ~ if you want more low end , off idle power and flexible , tractable power at all RPM'S & loads , just add a second exhaust outlet like Chevy did on the '54 Corvette ~ make sure the wekder who does this , DOES NOT add a baffle plate up inside the manifold nor remove the heat risor and spring ! . If you love the look of Fentons or other split manifolds , simply add a crossover pipe as close to the manifold outlet as possible . If you run the exhaust pipe out to the back of the truck , this too will deepen the exhaust note . Notice I didn't mention mufflers 'cause you don't need any ! . If you find some 40" or longer glass packs , they'll give a pleasing ' bark ' that's deep in tone , not the high pitched bark regular glass packs give .
