The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine Identification HELP!

Hi guys,
I'm in process of busting down my 2'nd engine, believed to have been the original 235 for my '59 Apache 3200.
I've run across a problem with the identification of it though. The block casting number is 3733813 and web sources point to a '55-'59 261.
The head casting number is 3836848 and web sources point to a '56 235. I'm scratching my head on this one.
Any thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated! I'll keep digging in the meanwhile.
Thanks!
Jerry

Jerry

I did a search for your 3733813 block # and it came up as a 261... Two sites said it was a 55-63 year and the third came up as a 58...

Thanks for the assistance, Healingbear!
I went back out to the engine with a flashlight last night to get more information.
The block also has the "captains bars" on it, where I saw in a web source that this denotes 261. Also, it has CON 4, and k 4 7. If I'm understanding this correctly, the K 4 7 would mean Nov. 4 '57 as the casting date?
The head has K 4 1. What??? Nov. 4 of '61?
Thoughts?
Jerry

I've done a TON of searching... and I'm still learning!
It appears the engine is indeed a '58 261 with a 235 head and I'm assuming the head is a replacement from the original.
I'm not sure why the engine casting date is slightly earlier, but maybe that's not so important. I'm happy that the block is a 261!
Out of curiosity, how can I tell what the original powerplant configuration truly was for this truck?

Jerry

the earlier casting date isn't unusual, just means there was stock on hand .... not sure you can ever positively say if it was original to the truck, on a 3200 the standard engine would have been a 235, with the 283 V8 optional, and although anything made could have been special ordered in those days, I believe the 261 would have normally been factory installed only in bigger trucks

Bill

Thanks Bill,
I thought about the "stock on hand" thing. I also had read that the 261 was generally for the larger trucks.
The original owner opted for a front brush guard and heavy-duty rear bumper... maybe he opted for a slightly larger work-engine but not a V8? He got the standard cab so I'm thinking he really wanted a work truck.
Either way, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this engine is rebuildable with many good parts. I have yet to remove the head, manifolds and oil pan... hopefully that will happen this evening!
I have, and already busted down, a '58 235, but the 261 is my choice for the rebuild. I'm considering this a pleasant surprise... I had thought both engines were 235's.

Jerry,

Your block casting is from 1958. Your block date code is late in the year, 1957, which usually means that it was placed in the next model year. By Nov. 1957 the 1958 vehicles were on the showroom floor.

Also, this 1958, 261 casting # has been questioned a number of times. The # 3 and the #8 is sometimes difficult to read. Some say it is,

3738813
3788813
3733813

What we know is that the last 3 digits are 813.
Would you be kind enough to recheck your number, so we all can learn the correct # for a 1958, 261.

There is also a stamped number on the pad to the rear of the distributor. Can you post that info. Should be something like F106J. This will tell you the assembly plant, month and day, and the truck series number.

Hello and thanks for the input Tom,
It's dark now and I need to wire brush the pad to the rear of the distributor to read the stamping. The engine is now bottom side up. Hopefully I can do that tomorrow and report my findings. Do you have a link for decoding that stamping?
I did go back out with a flashlight and wire brush however, to verify the casting number which was easily accessible. It is definitely 3733813. It also is sporting the set of "captains bars" as noted for 261 blocks in the correct locations, and had three pair of steam holes.
As for my plans for this evening, I did pull the manifolds off, the head and the oil pan... (I love it when my set goals are achieved).
What I discovered was the head gasket was for the 235 head and wasn't modified for the three pair of steam holes. You could see the depressions of the holes in the head gasket.
To my surprise the block (hardly a ridge at all), connecting rods, piston and cam looked very clean and well preserved and in great shape!
Since I have another 235 head, with the recommended modifications for the steam holes and with a 261 type gasket, I should be good for a rebuild of the 261!

Jerry,

Here's the 1958 Resto pack to decode the stamping.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/58t074.htm

This is the home page with tons of info.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/index.htm

Hey thanks Tom!
After I got home from work today I managed to remove all the rod caps before running out of daylight. Before stopping, I sprayed the cylinders and journals with WD40 till I can get back to it... probably Saturday due to the holiday. I placed the oil pan over it till then.
I'll be sure to get back to this thread with my engine ID! Thanks again and HAPPY THANKSGIVING you guys!

Jerry

Sorry to be so late with this reply. hopefully you or someone can decipher this code:
F112 s K
I get Flint, Jan. 12'th, Not sure of the rest.

Jerry