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| | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 | Hi Guys: is there any outside physical way i can tell if my 54 engine is a 261 beside the serial numbers???? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | My 261 has 2 "captain's bars", 2 raised parallel lines or bars cast into the side of the block above the starter, almost a dead give-away for a 261. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | You can also check out the tech tips on how to identify your 216, 235 and 261. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 | Thanks...it is pitch dark here so I will look in the morning. Thanks again for both your help!! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | My 261 has 2 "captain's bars", 2 raised parallel lines or bars cast into the side of the block above the starter, almost a dead give-away for a 261. "Almost" is the important word. All factory installed 261's should have the Captain's bars, but 1953 Power Glide full pressure 235's also had the same Captain's bars, so check casting date also.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 36 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 36 | I just bought an engine I thought was a 261. Code LAQ 373718. Has the bars. Seems to be a '53 235. It does have the short water pump & 848 head with 216 valve cover. And the side motor mounts aren't the typical V shape. Two on top & one directly below a top one.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 43 | My early 261 does NOT have the captains bars
Josh
Last edited by sinistar; 12/03/2012 1:33 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | There are some 261's reported to be missing Captains bars, but I think they are replacement engines or maybe from Canada or...
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | I just bought an engine I thought was a 261. Code LAQ 373718. Has the bars. Seems to be a '53 235. It does have the short water pump & 848 head with 216 valve cover. And the side motor mounts aren't the typical V shape. Two on top & one directly below a top one. Sounds like a 1953 Power Glide full pressure engine to me. That is a good engine even if it is not a 261.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
As Dave posted above, the LAQ engine serial number prefix designates 1953 235 used on a series 2100-2400 car with a Powerglide transmission. The "captain bars" have been previously reported on these 235 blocks.
The block and head casting codes and casting dates are the most useful information when trying to ID these blocks/heads.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | There are some 261's reported to be missing Captains bars, but I think they are replacement engines or maybe from Canada or... Dave, my 261 is a Canadian Pontiac engine, has the captain's bars and I've seen more here with them. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | And my '53 235 Powerglide engine also has the captains bars.
Kurt | | |
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