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
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