OK- - - -first the engine- - - -you've got a 1954 or early 55 powerplant, either a 235 or maybe a 261 cubic inch. The 4-bolt valve cover and the high mount water pump pretty much narrow it down to those possibilities. Late 55 and up engines had the water pump a couple of inches lower on the block to accommodate the lower hood and radiator of the newer design bodywork. Try finding a stamped engine number on a machined pad just behind the distributor, and a block casting number down low near the fuel pump, and one of the number crunchers on the site will tell you just about everything you ever wanted to know about it, probably including the Jockey shorts size of the guy who cast the block!
The reverse lockout lever on the shifter identifies the transmission as the early non-synchronized "crash box". There will be a little bit of a learning curve to your shifting technique, particularly when downshifting. Have fun!
Jerry
