The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 Head Casting Number

Hi, I was kicking around a junkyard and found a 55 or so Chevy Dump Truck with a 235/261 engine. It has a car sitting partially on the hood so I couldn't get it open enough to see the right side of the engine to look at the block casting number or for captain bars. I could get a hand on the head to get a rubbing of the head casting number which is 3836850. I can't find this number on the inliners site or their links. Anyone know what it is for? I realize someone could of switched heads but if it is a 261 head I may go back and push the car off it's hood to have a better look.

Thanks

That is a number for a 261 head. See here.

Hey Grant
U Better get ur lollygagin arse back to that bone yard afore I beat ya tooit!!LOL :p
3836850 is whats on my 261 head
What the heck just git the whole darn motor man :p
Or at least save it for me.
BTW Happy new year and regards

It's a 261 ci head. I tore one down today.

Thanks all, I'm after the engine, not really the head. I will go back for the engine if I can get there before stevesr, I just need to find a 4x4 cherry picker?

Happy New Year

Only teasing
But dont let that one slip by!
Good luck on getting it,
Would be a great way to start the new year off.

Gents,

The head on my 261 is cast 3836848 - that looks to be a 235 by the charts - is this possible? How different are the heads from a 235 to a 261?

Another newbie question - if the oil pan on this 261 is punctured - will a 235 or 216 pan fit?

Thanks,

Stewart

stewbud,
the 848 & 850 heads were installed on 235's & 261's ( respectively ) at the factory. many were swapped over the yrs. & will work on either engine. the 848 head has a smaller combustion chamber resulting in higher compression & better performance.
235's & 261's shared the same oil pan. a 216 oil pan will not fit most 235/261's. the bolt pattern was different & it was equipped with troughs for the spray nozzle jet lube system. i say most because the early 53 powerglide, 54 & 55 1st series truck engines did have the same bolt pattern as the earlier 216's. if all of that trough assembly was knocked out i suppose it would work on those earlier ( 53, 54, 55 1st ) 235 & 261 engines.
robert

Stew, your head is a 235 ci head .

Bluechev and bowtietim,

Thanks for the info.

I have been reading some of the old posts and this forum seems to have answers for all of the problems that I see as creeping into my truck restoration.

As a newcomer I appreciate you sharing your expertise in this field.


Stewart

Location of casting number is actually in front of the fuel pump. The number behind the distributor is the engine serial number. I put a red line locating the number on my 1954 261 ci block.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3765/261block6pe.jpg

casting number and location on the head of a 1954 261 ci

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5164/261headpic16qp.jpg

location and number on my 848 235 head, i believe it is out of a 1956 car.The last numbers of the casting are 848.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7964/848headpic27pa.jpg

I thought maybe this would help people understand what casting numbers are and where to find them.I know that i had to ask quite a few questions on this subject,and are still learning.

Thanks,Tim