Hello and thanks for the input Tom,
It's dark now and I need to wire brush the pad to the rear of the distributor to read the stamping. The engine is now bottom side up. Hopefully I can do that tomorrow and report my findings. Do you have a link for decoding that stamping?
I did go back out with a flashlight and wire brush however, to verify the casting number which was easily accessible. It is definitely 3733813. It also is sporting the set of "captains bars" as noted for 261 blocks in the correct locations, and had three pair of steam holes.
As for my plans for this evening, I did pull the manifolds off, the head and the oil pan... (I love it when my set goals are achieved).
What I discovered was the head gasket was for the 235 head and wasn't modified for the three pair of steam holes. You could see the depressions of the holes in the head gasket.
To my surprise the block (hardly a ridge at all), connecting rods, piston and cam looked very clean and well preserved and in great shape!
Since I have another 235 head, with the recommended modifications for the steam holes and with a 261 type gasket, I should be good for a rebuild of the 261!
