The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk stock engine '56 chevy

greetings...I'm new here and have a new '56 chev 1-ton flatbed. Engine is supposed to be a 283, and I've heard this engine was not stock in that year. How do I tell if it is a 283 and where can I get tune-up info for this engine? thanks for your help.

If I remember right it should have 265 cast into it ,either on the heads or at the front of the block by the fuel pump.The 265's had an excellent reputation, I don't know why GM discontinued them.I don't know what numbers should be behind the driverside head,but if you find out the 265 #'s,that should be where you find another clue to IDing your mill.
Lothar

if it's not a 283, and it's original, it's a 265.which was the optional V8 55 to mid 57 - the 265 didn't have the oil filter at the bottom back of the block like later V8s, as well as some other different details that slip my old mind right now - if it's a 283, the tuneup specs will be the same as any 57-60 283 found in any shop manual or motor manual, and in a 50 year old truck it's prolly been replaced sometime anyway

get some casting #s from the block/heads and we'll be better able to tell what ya got

Bill

265 V8 engines were the only V8 that was available in 1955-1956 (the 1955 V8 was the only one that was produced without the canaster oil filter being mounted on the LH lower rear corner of the block) All 1956 V8s were 265 and all of them had the oil filter that was mounted on the lh lower rear corner of the block.

On the left side,(passenger),there is a flat pad right in front of the head on the engine block.Get the number off of that pad and post it.I will look it up for you.

I should have said the right side.

Go to www.mortec.com . There you will find where to look for the casting numbers. You should be able to decode it there.