[chris vickery]

Now that we are straying off target here, the intention was a direct replacement for a stock 235cid. No modifications, no hotrodding etc. Respectfully, 270's, 302s etc have their place and for this discussion this is not it.
While I am a purist at heart, I am also a realist. Physically, the average Joe cannot even tell the subtle differences between a 216/235/261 block. It is the small details that make it so. Internally it is a whole different story.
Back in the day, the term "sleeper" was used to convey a vehicle that from it's outward appearance was a normal, stock built car. What was under the hood was something again. In the case of HMVs, the inferior 216 has and is often replaced with the better built 235 for the interest of reliability and durability. The engineers at Chevrolet figured out how to make a 216 better.
If a fellow can essentially put a better engine with more horsepower and torque under the hood without sacrificing originality, why not?
If you had a choice of more bang for the buck and have to rebuild your old 216 or 235 why not go for bigger and badder?
BTW, a stock 216 is approx 80hp I believe and a stock 261 is 148hp.