I've got a chance to get this engine but want to be sure what it is. The block code points to a 265 or 283. It has the oil breather? tube hanging down the back. The rear block casting number is 3731548. The front pad code is F394FC and the intake is 3781398. The heads have the triangle casting that we always used to refer to as power pack heads. I didn't get to check undere the valve covers for a head casting number, but when I do, what should it be? Thanks in advance.
my book shows those casting numbers to be a 57 283 4bll. you can also see the casting date in your photo. feb 28 1957
Other ways to identify by eyeball: 265, no side mount holes and no oil filter provision. 283 has a vertical rib cast into the block, at the front, next to the stamped number pad. And, of course there are exceptions to every "rule".
55 was the only year with no oil filter provision in the block, it had a partial flow filter on top of the engine that shared mount holes with the T-stat housing (picture) . The 55 vent tube ran right down through back of the block while 56 and up had an external tube at the top back.
The Jalopy Journal
