So I got this home, and after oiling the cylinders and filling with oil and turning it over, it has spark and fires a bit. This engine was obviously in use as a stationary engine in it’s last incarnation. Amazingly the coil, points etc are working. With a solid state regulator, alternator and volt meter rigged up to it. Has a hand lever to engage the manual starter. The starter was turning , but sluggish, enough to get a brief fire with hand priming. I took it apart and the brush brackets were frozen on one side and broke off . I have another starter to try tomorrow. I got some numbers off and would like help dating /identifying this engine. Block casting on passenger side: GM 3769717 Stamped by dist. : 27213 Head: 3836848 GM 3 This is in all likelihood, a Canadian engine. By the large vacuum connection on the manifold, it would seem to be a truck, hydrovac line . The PCV rig looks stock. So, any help from you great people will be appreciated!
Last edited by Gdads51; 08/08/20232:54 AM. Reason: fix pic link in text box
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 261 project engine “Ole Blackie” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996 1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
By the way, you’ll notice I’m using the Stovebolt engine cradle! And the grandson loves it!
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 261 project engine “Ole Blackie” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996 1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
Block casting# 3769717 decodes as a 1959-62 "261", rated at 135 HP. Definitely a US Chevy engine I do believe.
Can't offer much for the serial# as the picture doesn't show the whole pad, which may need a bit more cleanup to fully expose all the the stamped digits. Would also help if you can locate and report the "date" casting info on the side of the block directly above where the starter mounts. That and the full serial number info will help better pinpoint your engine info.
The head casting# 3836848 decodes as a 1956-62 "235" with 4 bolt rocker cover and large diameter temp sending unit hole in the head.
PCV setup (for the most part) is correct for the "261". I think the vented cap on valve cover is a transplant from something much later and the large vacuum port manifold and lines definitely make this a "Big Bolt" contender.
Nice to see you have such an enthusiastic helper.
Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Well, thanks Dan. I cleaned the number pad some more and it really seems to only be this number of digits, except: 272 I 3, the letter I. And in the starter area, the captain’s bars, is all I see . With this 235 head, then , is this the much desired 848 head mod? Charley
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 261 project engine “Ole Blackie” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996 1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
It could very well be that what you have is a replacement block, which wouldn't have had an actual vehicle serial number stamped, but could have been stamped at time of purchase/replacement to match whatever the owner needed it to.
It would certainly appear that someone did go for the "848" head mod, or could have been just a replacement out of necessity if the original head became unusable? Can only guess from what is there.
looks like you found a "keeper"!
Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Right. Thanks Dan, yes, I am feeling good about this engine. Appreciate your help!
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 261 project engine “Ole Blackie” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996 1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
Thanks for providing this extra insight and schooling on the "Canadian" 261.
You have added to my knowledge bank!
Charley,
Sorry if my "US" 261 block and 848 head info may have caused any mis-identification of your engine. Will be interested to hear more about the engine as you may get into it. Also curious to know what made you think the engine was of Canadian origin in the first place???
Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Well, Dan, it was located in Victoria BC. The whole 848 saga is not crystal clear, even after reading the several discussions, but I will pull the head as I go, and hope there’s no cracks etc.! And looking for solid lifters. I hope it will find a home in the ‘54 ! The spark plugs looked so good and all the same that’s a good sign. I’ll show progress on it as it goes. Thank you for the interest!
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 261 project engine “Ole Blackie” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996 1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
Clean the block between the captains bars and the engine code/serial number down low near the horizontal ridge and see if the date code raised letter/numbers are hiding there...it should look something like this, B 15 9 (Feb 15, 1959).
The 235 and 261 truck engines were also used by GMC Truck of Canada (GMC truck 6-cylinder engines were also used in Canada). The 1955—1962 full-size Canadian Pontiac car had a standard 261-cubic-inch engine that had hydraulic lifters.
I had been looking in CA for a 261 myself - I'm in WA and not too far from BC - looked for a while but just bit the bullet and bought a complete (with carb, maniolds and all ancillaries and trans) sweet running 235 out of a 58 DelRay in Vancouver.
Side Story - When the Immigration Officer asked how long I had been in Canada, and I replied, just a couple of hours, she gave me a suspicious look and asked why so brief; I pointed to the engine in the back and explained I had bought it and only there long enough to load it and return
Last edited by D'Ecosse; 08/10/20237:56 AM.
'51 Chevy 3100 Truck - OEM 216 Engine; three speed column shift transmission 6 Bolt disc conversion with dual master/vacuum booster 12V alternator conversion. 235 engine in waiting
