Help with engine decoding?

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  • Step56
    Registered Member
    • Jan 2024
    • 18
    • 5246
    • TriCities, WA

    Help with engine decoding?

    Hi,
    I got the motor out today. I did some research and what I am coming up with is my 56 Bel Air 265 with 3 speed O/D has a 57 265 or 283 that would have had a powerglide in it? Not that it really matters I guess, still deciding what I want to do with it. I will run it on my test stand then do a comp check, open it up and decide what to do. I am sure I have some options.
    Thank you for any assistance.
    Attached Files
  • markm
    Registered Member
    • May 2012
    • 3476
    • 625

    #2
    C 1957
    265
    m/t, 3 spd - - -
    C 1958
    283
    m/t, 3 spd - 185 2
    C 1960
    283
    m/t - 170 2

    The 265 will have no provisions for side motor mounts the 58 and 60 model 283s will have 3 holes tapped 3/8NC for motor mounts on sides of block.

    Comment

    • Step56
      Registered Member
      • Jan 2024
      • 18
      • 5246
      • TriCities, WA

      #3
      Thank you for the reply Markm. I figured I was reading it wrong. Seems I have a 57 265 block for a standard trans. Everything else points to a 56.
      Heads 3725306, both.
      Exhaust manifolds 3837069 and 3836958.
      Intake 3837109.
      Flywheel is a 3703870. Not sure if that is the correct flywheel. The disk is 10 inch. The starter screams when the engine starts. Might have the wrong bendix. I engaged the starter manually on the engine stand, with the solenoid off and the drive seems to bind.
      The block is the 3731548 with some other numbers. I will attach a few more pics. No holes on the side of the block for mounts.
      Trans is a 3837552.
      Thanks again for your help. Not sure yet what I am going to do with this project.
      Attached Files

      Comment

      • Troy
        Registered Member
        • Mar 2012
        • 671
        • 516
        • Antioch, Ca

        #4
        3725306 heads are 56 Power Pack Corvette heads, 3837109 intake is for 56 Corvette, and the 3731548 Block is a casting for a 57 265 or 283. I did some googling to find this info.

        Comment

        • Step56
          Registered Member
          • Jan 2024
          • 18
          • 5246
          • TriCities, WA

          #5
          Hi Troy, Thank you. I have done what I thought was a lot of research but I did not come up with the Corvette info. I will do some more looking. Thanks again.

          Comment

          • markm
            Registered Member
            • May 2012
            • 3476
            • 625

            #6
            The lack of side motor mount bosses defiantly nail it down to a 56 or 57 block, a 55 block has no oil filter cast into block. The casting #, suffix code and casting dates take it from there.

            Comment

            • Step56
              Registered Member
              • Jan 2024
              • 18
              • 5246
              • TriCities, WA

              #7
              Thanks again for the reply. I have a few more pictures, I am leaning to it being a 57 bored out 265 with a October 10 build date for a standard transmission. Please correct me if I am wrong. I decided to pull the heads and pistons, the bore is 3 7/8 inch. There is no ridge. It appears to have the holes for the block mounted starter. No holes in the side of the block for mounts. It has oil canister in the block. The back of the block looks blue? Currently I have the bell housing mounted starter and it screams when it starts as it appears to be binding. I guess it is a good thing I removed the heads, the gasket is about gone. I will go to the electric section I guess to ask about proper starter. Thanks again for your help and looking.
              Attached Files

              Comment

              • Step56
                Registered Member
                • Jan 2024
                • 18
                • 5246
                • TriCities, WA

                #8
                Decided to go with a crate motor. Thank you all for your information.

                Comment

                • BamaNomad
                  Registered Member
                  • Nov 2016
                  • 3882
                  • 3217
                  • Rocket City, USA (Huntsville, AL area)

                  #9
                  FYI ... All of the '57 '265 ci engines', as denoted by the 'C' engine suffix were used with manual transmissions...

                  Comment

                  • Step56
                    Registered Member
                    • Jan 2024
                    • 18
                    • 5246
                    • TriCities, WA

                    #10
                    Thank you for taking the time to reply Bama, I appreciate it. That is about what I figured I had, a 57 265 for a manual. It does have a 3 7/8 bore so I guess someone did a rebuild. Not sure how to decipher the other numbers though. But it doesn't matter now, decided to go with a new engine. Slapping this one back together to sell complete. These are the other numbers I am not sure about, the 1 56 and the FA24732.
                    But thanks again.
                    Attached Files

                    Comment

                    • BamaNomad
                      Registered Member
                      • Nov 2016
                      • 3882
                      • 3217
                      • Rocket City, USA (Huntsville, AL area)

                      #11
                      In your photos, I think I saw some residue of 'chartreuse' paint... in early '57 chevrolet painted the 265 ci engines CHARTREUSE to distinguish them from the 283 engines (which were used wtih Automatics and with powerpack engines).. There are possibly some people interested in the block and trans for that reason. Most of the added on parts (heads, intake etc) did not come with that engine in your car.

                      Comment

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