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#1586295 08/31/2025 1:44 AM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
Finally got started cleaning up this engine I intend to put in the 54 , Old Blackie.
Got to run it on the stand and she sounds real good. The fuel pump pumps.
The carb is barely functioning, but idles smooth, revs up.
I have a short video of it. Will try to link.
Getting these numbers off of it, I hope to get help Identifying the year.
I hope I haven’t done this before on this engine🥹.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_tHhlnYz_e0
This engine was used as a stationary drive in a gravel pit, years ago.
On a conveyor. I’d like to know if it was a truck or car engine.
That bellhousing is the pedal starter type.
The engine could be Canadian Pontiac. But I don’t really know.
The pcv settup appears original, but any of it could be swapped around of course.
13.5 inch flywheel, 11 inch clutch. A three arm type.
Oh, and the engine mounts were up front on the sides, below the generator and the fuel pump.
I plan to get it on the engine stand and check what I can, change rear main seal.
I haven’t had water through it yet, but pretty confident it isn’t cracked, considering the PO.
Not even a puff of smoke came out the exhaust!
Attachments
IMG_2697.jpeg (298.36 KB, 192 downloads)
IMG_2690.jpeg (192.1 KB, 188 downloads)
IMG_2683.jpeg (185.17 KB, 187 downloads)
IMG_2687.jpeg (175.68 KB, 187 downloads)
IMG_2696.jpeg (227.44 KB, 187 downloads)
IMG_2692.jpeg (196.59 KB, 186 downloads)
IMG_2704.jpeg (300.37 KB, 179 downloads)

Last edited by Steelonsteel; 08/31/2025 2:05 AM. Reason: Added pictures, info.

~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
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,955
K
'Bolter
'Bolter
K Offline
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,955
Yes could be a Canadian cast engine.Here is some info from No1300
Attachments
IMG_6451.png (560.46 KB, 109 downloads)

Last edited by Gdads51; 08/31/2025 9:31 PM. Reason: remove image link in text box to allow picture to display

kevinski
1954 GMC 9300
In the Gallery Forum
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,955
K
'Bolter
'Bolter
K Offline
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,955
Casting number indicates 58 to 62 ,261 The head is a 235 head but not sure if the 848head was origional to the block.If you look up 261 Pontiac the casting numbers are different so to me it looks like a chev engine.


kevinski
1954 GMC 9300
In the Gallery Forum
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Posts: 224
Thanks, Kevin.
It does have a vacuum fitting the shares with the PCV, and would appear to be a hydra-vac line.
So, maybe a big truck……


~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
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
A few more pictures.
The vacuum fitting.
The PCV setup.
I like this a lot, and plan to keep it.
Add a hose to aircleaner.
Does this bell housing look 2 ton-ish?
I’ll let you all know how it goes.
Thnks for the help.
Attachments
IMG_2695.jpeg (247.27 KB, 157 downloads)
IMG_2702.jpeg (207.07 KB, 156 downloads)
IMG_2703.jpeg (161.45 KB, 155 downloads)


~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
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
The bellhousing with the angled mounting pads was pretty much universally used on all standard shift vehicles, beginning in 1954. The only big difference was the absence of foot start linkage mounting points on passenger car housings, IMHO.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Posts: 224
Thank you for the word , Jerry.
I’m betting it’s a truck engine.
Either from a Chevy or a Canadian GMC.( they used Chevy engines).
I have the split exhaust on another old engine( likely a corvette type) and
Will try to put that on this .
Lotta cleaning to do yet……..


~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
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,392
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,392
Charley - This is the same engine we have discussed before in your 08/07/2023 Engine Shop thread.

We had pretty much confirmed the engine is a Canadian 261, but didn't have a couple of the newer picture you posted above. The picture of the block casting number with the "M" inside the square outline confirms it's a Canadian engine manufactured by McKinnon Industries as shown in the reply above from Kevinski. wink

You also posted a new pick with the block casting date code "1 K 26". If I'm decoding that correctly, that makes this a 1961 engine built October 26th.

The more I look at all the pictures in both posts I think it's from a Canadian big truck Chevy. The pinched off larger vacuum tube on the intake manifold vacuum port that also attaches to the PCV valve setup (would have been original equipment) appears to be what would be present for a big truck hydrovac unit.

It sounds like it runs pretty good. thumbs_up


~ 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)
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Posts: 224
Thanks, Dan.
I appreciate all the input and will proceed accordingly!
Looks like I can use the clutch and flywheel that’s on it.
That will be a change to a 12 volt starter.


~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
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,115
G
Insomniac
Insomniac
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,115
Not sure, but looking at the pictures, it looks like you may have 2 PCV valves. The original one (that has the rubber hose to the manifold vacuum) plus the one on the oil filler cap.


Gord 🇨🇦
----
1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,392
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,392
The 90 degree hose elbow attachment to the valve cover filler cap should just be an open air feed with hose going to the air cleaner, not a PCV valve. 2 of those would certainly defeat the purpose of the system.


~ 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)
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,115
G
Insomniac
Insomniac
G Offline
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,115
BTW, the original PCV valve can be cleaned up and reused. I have attached a picture of it disassembled.
Attachments
Truck PCV Valve.jpg (252.99 KB, 56 downloads)
PCV valve


Gord 🇨🇦
----
1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 224
Aha! Thanks Gord.
I was just examining it and wondered.


~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

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