Enjoy 5% OFF at VEVOR Canada! and Support Canadian Poncho at the Same Time!
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> Pre 1958 Canadian Pontiac Power Train Tech Forum -> Dilemma - what to do with my 261
Post Info TOPIC: Dilemma - what to do with my 261
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
Dilemma - what to do with my 261
Permalink  

Long run, of course, it is coming out, to be replaced by my 496.

If I could solve the 261's problems (rough running due to one bad cylinder i.e. 30 psi compression, and chronic overheating/coolant loss) I thought about driving it with the 261 for a while, maybe a year or so, get a little enjoyment from the car, while finishing the 496 build (still have to put on heads, valve train, intake, etc., plus I want to dyno it before installing it), and installing the new trans & shifter (to make sure it all works well) and rebuilding the rear end with new 4.11 Positraction (also to make sure that all works well), then swap the 261 for the 496.

I had diagnosed the bad cylinder (number 6) as probably a bad valve. Today I pulled the head and sure enough:

BadValve.jpg

See the cracks between 2 & 3 o'clock?

New valves are not expensive and not hard to find, being same as Chevy 235. So I could replace the valve and throw it back together with new gaskets and see what happens.

However there was also a blown head gasket, between cylinders 2 & 3:

HeadGasket.jpg

Otherwise the head looks pretty good. However there is some rust in cylinders 2, 3 & 4 -  I should be able to clean that up I think but would appreciate any suggestions on what to use and how best to clean it up (without pulling the pistons - just with the motor in the car as it sits).

Cylinders.jpg

Now the dilemma.

I have been contacted by a guy in Oregon who says he is very interested in buying the 261. (How he found out about my 261, I can only guess, but I assume some internet search lead to an old post of mine here.) He is even willing to pay $500 shipping cost for that heavy old chunk of iron all the way from Florida.

I would have to put it on a pallet and I would charge him for at least materials for that.

He says he would plan to rebuild it. I'm sure a rebuild would be worthwhile but I am not going to do that. Oil pressure is good, and compression is good except for that one bad cylinder. I cannot justify rebuilding it myself for short term use.

If I don't sell it to him now, I believe that I will end up with 650 pounds of old engine that I have to figure out how to dispose of - my belief is that there is no local market for this motor, and I really do not want to deal with evilbay to try to sell it.

So maybe I should just sell it now and proceed with finishing up the whole car without driving it until the end.

But how much $$$ should I ask for it?

Or should I tell him "not for sale now" and go with the new valve and drive it a bit, and deal with getting rid of the 261 later?

All thoughts appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave

__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
tc


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 586
Date:
Permalink  

Don't waste any money or time on the 261. Sell it to the guy and move forward on the big block. There isn't a whole pile of people looking for those old six bangers anymore.

__________________
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
eeluddy


Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3830
Date:
Permalink  

Sell it Dave. When you have a buyer for one of these take the money as buyers are few and far between!

__________________

Drifting offshore is a fine way to spend a day!!
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
Permalink  

Thank you Terry and Earl for your wisdom.

If he wants it for $300 + shipping + pallet then it is gone. Pretty rare original 261 block never been overbored, cylinders not scored and minimal ridges, with all accessories (bellhousing, flywheel, starter, generator, distributor, fuel pump and lines, carburetor, etc.)

If not, I will replace the bad valve, clean up the head and cylinders and put it back together with new gaskets (total maybe $50 including replacing the bad valve) and stick with Plan A to drive it a bit whilst I do other stuff, eh?

Thanks again,
Dave



__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
Taylor55


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1357
Date:
Permalink  

Dave, if Walter in Oregon does not buy the 261 you can sell it right here in Florida. I have been to a couple of shows here and at both shows I met guys who are looking for the Canadian 261 engines. They want that engine over the Americian 261 truck engine because of the high lift hydraulic camshaft and a better breathing cylinder head on the Can 261.  They want the 261 to build for 46-48 Chevy coupe style hot rods. I'll give you a call next week .

Al

__________________
davelacourse


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2249
Date:
Permalink  

Sounds great Al! I would sure rather have a Florida guy drive up in his truck and we load it up than deal with shipping.

However the head does not have the steam holes - I think some prior owner replaced it with a common Chevy head. Don't know if that would be a deal breaker?

The short block looks good and the cylinders do not have much ridging. Good oil pressure, compression 110-120 psi (except #6).

Thanks,
Dave

__________________

56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
427carl


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 35601
Date:
Permalink  

Are you sure?   $500.00 cash in Florida.....Listen to Al....   don't hold on to it  

__________________

 
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
tc


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 586
Date:
Permalink  

Do the Steve Miller thing............... TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN......smile.gif

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> Pre 1958 Canadian Pontiac Power Train Tech Forum -> Dilemma - what to do with my 261
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
.
Support Canadian Poncho!
Select Amount:
<
.
.
.