These photos of engines of the 239 flathead six used in early 50's and 261 six used from 1955-62 have been compiled from information posted elsewhere on this site. It is shown here for ease of reference. If you would like to contribute a missing year please PM 73SC. Thanks.
1953 Pathfinder 239 Flathead
1955 Laurentian
1955 Laurentian
1955 Laurentian
1956 Laurentian
1956
1957
FROM Big Ben: Paint brand is Alvin, colour is Jade Green #398-50 but has a mat finish you also need their clear coat # 393, both are rated to withstand up to 1200 F. I tried it first on the exhaust manifold of my pickup truck and paint stands up good.
1957 - field find
1957 Unmolested Safari
1957 - Restored Pathfinder
1957 Sedan Delivery - restored
1958 dark colour (note breather in centre of valve cover. It would seem that this was a part way through 1958 change continuing through to production end in 1962)
1958 light colour - Restored parisienne
Original 1958 - Strato Chief
Restored 1958 - Parisienne Plasticote Alpine Green #225
1959
1960 - Strato Chief
1960 -Cobourg cruise night May 24/09
1960 1960Air cleaner detail
1960 untouched Safari
1961 Parisienne (Editors Note:My father owned a 1961 with a 261 bought new when I was a boy. This is the way I remember the engine appearing.)
1961 Parisienne
1961 -Laurentianrestored
1961 Laurentian
1962 Pontiac Parisienne
1962 Strato Chief
1962 Laurentian
-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 20th of June 2011 09:26:52 PM
Added a 1962 engine to day to completed the colour documentation of the 261 - 6 production run of 1955 to 1962. This documents that GM Canada used at leat 3 different colours on the 261 engine block depending on year of production. It also documents that in 1958 and 1961 two colours were used. I hope this is useful information for restoring projects.
-- Edited by 73SC on Sunday 9th of August 2009 09:39:31 PM
