This morning I decided to spend a little time with the engine in this old truck to see if I could get it loose before the family shows up to look at it. It didn't take much - first I checked it with my bore scope and it didn't look too bad, then I poured a mixture of transmission fluid and acetone in the cylinders and let it soak for about an hour. While it was soaking I pulled the valve cover to inspect the valvetrain and oil the stems, etc and discovered the rocker arm on #2 intake was broken on the pushrod side. I'm assuming this is why it was parked. All the valves seem to move except for that intake, which appears to be bent also. Anyway, it came loose pretty easy after about an hour long soak and it now turns freely. I figure it will run. I also did some more investigating on the block ID and found the casting number - it's a '54 model 261 with a casting number of 3703414. I'm assuming the early 261s had the high mount water pump, is this correct? Or is it possible this engine just has an adapter plate and is using the early style pump? I can't tell if there's an adapter plate on it or not.
