Boring the 226

[Roadmaster49]

How far out could the 226 be bored and would that help even a little with low end torque and response? 

[boatingbill]

I believe the cylinder walls are narrow between the water passage and cyl 3 and 4 or 4 and
5. Boring the walls would make them even thinner and more prone to cracking. The low gear
ratio in the OD cars make them relatively quick from a stop. My '51 was noticeably quicker in
take off that my dad's '53 auto. The trade off was that he could cruise at 65 MPH and mine would
scream on the highway at that speed.

[rialto]

The 226 isn't very powerful especially with Hydramatic. There is not a lot you can do to it. The only real improvement is the factory supercharger.  I have a 53 Hydramatic and a 54 Hydramatic with the supercharger.  The difference is like day and night.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The maximum oversize bore is 0.060".  Recommended high limit is 0.040".  Any more that 60 thousandths and you get cooling problems.