Sorry to ask the list this but from what I have been able to determine
from bouncing around the various web sites I think I have a '58 261 with
a '56 235 head in my '49 Chevy 3/4 ton wrecker, but I'm not sure since I
can not find a block casting number anywhere (even though it was warm
enough today so I was able to degrease and power wash my engine and look
closely). Here are the specifics of the engine:
-The block is painted red, the valve cover blue and the head blue or
gray (none of which may not mean anything). There is a blue draft tube
on the distributor side of the block located down low in the block in
front of the distributor.
-The valve cover has the oil filler cap in the middle with the
"Chevrolet" script behind the oil filler cap. The valve cover is held
down by 4 screws and does not have any vents in it.
-There is definitely no casting number any where around the fuel pump,
there are just the letters "GM" with the number "2" above them (all at
least 1/2-inch high) in front of the fuel pump.
-The engine serial number stamped behind the distributor is "LAQ69793".
-There is a "A168" cast in to the block behind the front of the starter.
-There are two raised vertical bars about 1/2-inch or so long cast in to
the block behind the middle of the starter. Are these the "captains
bars" that indicate a 261?
-There may be 3 or 4 other unreadable characters cast in to the block
behind the back (transmission end) of the starter.
-Cast in to side of the distributor side of the cylinder head is a "B52"
with a "648" slightly after and below it with a "850" below the "648".
-Cast in to the top of the manifold side of the cylinder head is a
"3836848" with a "GM15" below it.
-Cast in to the top of the intake manifold is a "3835680" with a "GM"
below it.
I think the "3836848" makes the head from a '56 235. I think the "A168"
makes the block manufactured on Jan. 16, 1958 and the two bars make the
block a 261. What does everybody think - I know from previous posts
that there are some good detectives out there! If the engine is a 261 I
assume that the increased displacement makes it more desirable than a
235. My parts truck (a '51 GMC 1 ton dully) has a good '54 Chevy 235
motor in it. I had thought about swapping it in to the '49 Chevy but
maybe I won't if the engine that is in the truck is a 261. Thanks for
everybody's help.
Kevin Brown
Odessa, MO
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