VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc New to VCCA, new to 1954 Bel Air, stovebolt engines

Thank you members. Just bought a grade 2.5 to 3.0, 1954 Bel Air. It's all bone stock original , with a three on the tree manual tranny I'm contemplating an engine upgrade. It currently has a 235 stovebolt engine. My first thought is to locate and build a 261 stovebolt to simplify the removal and install, and to maintain a degree of originality. Would there be any issues with this change? ( radiator, hoses, changing from a 6 volt system, brake and drivetrain upgrades, ect ) Also, this Chevy doesn't have an oil filter.

Next thought: install a small block Chevy V-8. Would I be able to to use the stock tranny and shift system? would there be issues with steering column, firewall, engine mounts, fender clearance, ect?

I'm sorry if this question has been asked and answered 1000 times. I really would like to use an upgraded stovebolt motor, but if I can't get at least 250 HP, 300 ft lbs, without spending a ton of money, I will look more seriously into a V-8.

Welcome! I'll move this to a technical forum for you. Good luck with your project.

There are a lot of things you can do to your 1954 engine to increase its power.

Check out the inliners club. This is what they do! https://www.inliners.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

Dean

I assume that your plan includes a full drivetrain replacement as well as chassis upgrades such as suspension, steering, and brakes.

I doubt if the transmission and rear axle will be very durable at the torque level you want to achieve. Remember that your car has an enclosed driveshaft. Any higher capacity transmission and rear axle will have an open driveshaft.

Plus the vehicle will be capable of much higher speeds than the chassis was designed to handle. Stopping and turning could be more excitement than you want.

I don't know how much work would be required if I just stay with a 261 stovebolt, RV cam, and 2 Carburator ( Fenton ) intake system. I definitely plan to upgrade brakes to discs up front, New Gas shocks all 4 corners. And likely one into two pipe exhaust system. It appears that the steering column and three on the tree tranny linkage is in the way for me to install a two header exhaust system.I want to keep the upgrades simple, reliable and No major surgery.

Small block V-8 system I'm sure would require all kinds of modifications that I'm sure would be very extensive.

I'm leaning towards staying with a stovebolt engine if I can get a decent performance increase, without too many other modifications.

My purpose is more as a cruiser with some mild bling under the hood. The body is in good general condition, but looking like it's headed to rat rod shape ( paint is all original, with some minor spots of wear and surface rust. I live in Nevada where long term rust issues are a minor concern. I'd like to keep the exterior as original as possible.

Rusty is correct, upgrading much beyond original is like opening a barrel full of rattle snakes and at least 1 of them will turn around and bite you as I have been down that road a few times.
Tony

In the FWIW category, to quote a gentleman on the Stovebolt forums, two carburetors is either one too many or one too few!

Take a look at the flow path of air/fuel mix from the carburetor(s) to the cylinder head on a stovebolt.

Jon

I have definitely heard that about the 3 carb setup. I've heard that the two carb setup can be tuned to be more efficient than the stock single carb setup. But it would require a complete build with cam, carbs, 2 pipe ( or header) exhaust system, and a rebuild using new internal parts including Pistons, lifters, pushrods, rocker arms, valves and hard seats for the exhaust valves. Is the cost and effort to find core engines ( 261) worth the time and expense over modifying the front end and drivetrain over to a small block 350 Chevy?

The answer to that question only you can give. It all depends on what is your goal and can you afford to achieve it? If modifying don't fail to consider more modern options like a turbo 4 cylinder or V-6. Then there is electric as well. Each has its advantages and costs. Buying one already modified that the owner no longer is enchanted with is another option.

You stated in your first post that you wanted 250 HP.

Not sure that is possible for a "cruiser" with a 261. Not sure why you need that; Chevrolet owners in 1954 were happy with a 235 and 125 HP.

A 261 in new condition is rated at 150. One in used condition is going to be less, depending on the condition.

Not sure what headers would do.

A dual carb set-up, if DONE PERFECTLY, might get you 10 percent increase in HP. If done decently maybe 5 percent, or if cobbled, maybe LOSE 10 percent, or more!

A triple carb set-up, if done properly, can easily gain you 20 percent increase, maybe a bit more if you really do your homework and tuning.

Not enough to get to your desired 250, but maintaining the originality (to the degree of a six) with some eye candy under the hood, with maybe 50 percent increase in power over the original 235.

Personally, at a car show, I would look a LOT longer at such a modification than I would with a small block installed. You don't have to tell folks it is a 261.

Jon

His stick shift 1954 235 has 115 hp due to having a low lift camshaft. Two caburetors will do lttle for it because the breathing is limited.