Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,123 Posts1,056,653 Members48,450 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 10 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 10 | I'm in the process of trying to buy a 54 Chevy 6400 straight six 4 and a 2. Is there anything specific to these trucks I need to double check (eg hidden rust areas or extreme wear points)? Would this be a 261 or did they also put the 235 in the 6400's? Thanks for your help!
Last edited by evansfarms7; 05/19/2010 2:48 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 |
The Loadmaster 235 was standard in a 64xx but the 261 was an option.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 48 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 48 | If the truck has any rust, I would expect rust in the cab corners, and be sure to look around where the cab mounts to the frame. Keep in mind a few things. Short of making some substantial drive train changes expect this truck to cruise in the 45 mph range. These trucks will pull a mountain but will take a while to do it. Also you will be hard pressed to get tires much less than $150 bucks each plus mounting. On the plus side I love my 49 6400. The cool factor is off the charts. I drove it from Tulsa to Oklahoma City down route 66 to pick up a two post truck hoist a few weeks ago. I know that lift had to weigh over a ton. I don't think the rear sat down a quarter inch! If fact the truck drove exactly the same! Loved every mile and thumbs up! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | Evansfarms: look on the RH side of the block for a couple of small bars, the Captains Bars as they are known. That is what quickly identifies a 261 from a 235. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | I've been told by several folks I trust that yes the presence of "Capitan's bars" most often indicates a 261, but some engines with bars are only 235's.
Anyone have details on this?
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Jim Carter's 261 Tech Tip (I think he has/had one casting code error) Unfortunate for a 1954 truck/engine owner, both the 235s and 261s that year have "Captain's Bars". The casting codes and/or engine serial numbers would be needed for a good ID. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | There are some 261's that don't have captains bars. I had one. The casting numbers(on the passenger side of the block) are the best way to ID, in my opinion. | | |
|
|
