I am finally completing the rebuild on my 261 ci from a 1960 Pontiac. Don't know how this escaped me before but I cannot find any timing mark on the harmonic balance wheel nor a pointer on the engine. Is this normal for this engine, and if so, how does one set the ignition timing?
As a matter of interest I posted earlier that I was looking for hydraulic cam and lifters for this engine. Finally gave up the quest and acquired new mechanical cam and lifters. From my research I am expecting better performance from the mechanical set up. Only down side may possibly be having to adjust lifters more often. Not a big deal given the amount of mileage that will be put on this engine. The cylinders were bored 60 over in order to clean the block up. I am also putting Fenton Dual exhaust and dual carburetor intake manifolds on the engine. Not really interested in performance enhancement but thought the motor should be gussied up before going into the engine bay.
I think the timing mark is on the flywheel and is viewed through a hole in the bell housing just above the starter. There should be a little pointer that aligns with a ball or dot on the flywheel when the timing light flashes.
Thanks Randy
-- Edited by GLHS60 on Wednesday 18th of June 2014 11:27:07 PM
I think the timing mark is on the flywheel and is viewed through a hole in the bell housing just above the starter. There should be a little pointer that aligns with a ball or dot on the flywheel when the timing light flashes.
Thanks Randy
-- Edited by GLHS60 on Wednesday 18th of June 2014 11:27:07 PM
X 2. Yes this is the way. Not as convenient as the V-8 set up and hard to see.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
Toolnut, any chance of seeing some photos of your gussied up 261. With the dual pipes and carbs, she should motor along real sweet. Any photos of your 1960 Pontiac for the brotherhood here. Cheers. George.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
George: Thanks for your interest. It may be a while before the build is complete but I will try to remember to post pictures. I am still waiting to receive "Wayne" rocker and side polished aluminum covers. Sad to advise the 60 Pontiac from which the motor was harvested was way beyond restoration. It had been sitting in a farmer's field too long. She however is not totally gone as she was a donor vehicle providing her hood, front fender, windshield, and other miscellaneous parts to other 60 Pontiacs in need. Her motor will be living on in a 1939 Chevrolet Master De Luxe Business Coupe. I still have some other parts from the Pontiac including set of four hubcaps, radiator, tail and backup lights, gas filler cap, trunk lock, and a few other odds and ends if anyone is interested. My e-mail address is <hammond1@shaw.ca>.
My eldest daughter owns a rare American 1957 Pontiac Starchief Safari TransContinental station wagon so there is some Pontiac blood in the family.
To Randy: Thanks for the info on timing procedure.
Toolnut thanks for the update. The 261 is going in a 1939 Chev Coupe...........sweet. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to that vintage inliner for a sweet rod. You may already know this but there is Langdon's Stove bolt six, near Detroit, Mich., U.S.A and Patrick's in Casa Grande, Arizona, U.S.A. for all vintage GM inliner hipo stuff. It really is amazing just how much stuff is out there, to soup up these old vintage GM inliner sixes. There is obviously a demand and that demand is growing, as more folks are tired of seeing the same old.......same old and going vintage inliner. Continued good luck with your project. Cheers. George.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
