The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 265 in 59 apache questions.

I have a 59 fleet with the original 235. It's a great motor and I have no complaints. That said I have found a 265 that has been rebuilt and came out of a 55 vette. Were 265 engines an option in the 59 fleets? I'm kind of a original look guy and I think the 265 was an option but I'm just not sure. It also comes with a two speed powerglide but I want to keep my four speed manual tranny. Is this easy to do? Also I have added the Patrick's 3:38 kit. Will this be a good option for the 265 or would I have to change it out to something else? Any thoughts or help you can offer would be great.

Hy Joshm, in Canada the V8 engine was an option in trucks from the 55"B" or 2nd series on, 283s were used starting in 57. I understand that in the states the 265 V8 continued to be used up until at least 1958. I have no idea if the V8 was an option on "fleets" as we did not have them in Canada. If you want to swap in a V8 it is fairly simple once you purchase the parts to do so, a front engine mount kit available from many aftermarket suppliers, a truck V8 bellhousing, and a kit for throttle linkage, there was a fan shroud on the original V8 trucks, so that might be required as well, hope that helps.

If that's a correct-number 55 Vette engine, cylinder heads and all, it would be worth enough to a restorer to finance a pretty good buildup on a 350, or another late model engine with more power. The 55 model 265 is unique, since it does not have an oil filter location on the block back by the bellhousing. 56 and later engines had an integral filter. 55's used a bypass filter mounted up by the intake manifold. Those blocks are extremely scarce.
Jerry

If you're interested in originality, I think you'll find that the 265 was discontinued and replaced by the 283 after '57. The 283 was offered in cars in '57 but not in trucks until '58.

Thanks guys! Answers my questions. I think I'm going to just leave the 235 in for now and when she goes I will opt for a 283 down the line.

"I'm kind of a original look guy and..."

You won't get an original look in a Task Force truck by replacing the 6 with an 8. Your radiator will still be in the 6 position.

in '58 & '59 the rad position was the same for the 6 or V8 - the V8 had a shroud added to make up the difference

Bill

How about a 56? i'm getting ready to put a V-8 in mine in replace of the 6. Is there a shroud for this or will I need one?
George

the V8 fan will be way back from the rad so you'll either need a shroud or the original setup for 55-57 that moved the rad back and added some sheet metal pieces in front of the rad as "shrouding", seen here [and found in the assembly manual] - if you look at your inner fenders, there's a reinforcing plate with 3 holes in a triangle, that's where the core support moves to .... this is a 56 panel w/ 350 and aftermarket plastic shroud ..... and this is a 58 with a correct style shroud, but from a 60's car, slightly modified to fit because the car rad is slightly different dimensions - it'd work on the 56 as well if you can find one

Bill