Catching back up ... If there is no serial number stamped into the boss aft of the distributor (like mine), then that means it's probably a crate motor -- built as a replacement engine. Mine was built in '59 but out of the '54 mold -- to be sold as a replacement engine for someone with a '54 or '55 1st series who needed a new engine. ...
John, unless I'm misreading the tea leaves (which is always possible), my 261 is a 9 month younger brother to yours. A high water pump, no captain bars 261 with a '54 block cast in '59, what are the odds.
RonR
