OK, here's the thing.. I've built a whole bunch of engines, and believe it or not, not a single one has been a small block Chevy! So, I picked up this old gasser with a SBC in it. A friend said that it was a '56 or '57 Power pack engine (or at least the heads and intake are, supposedly). My questions are: 1) How can I tell if these are "power pack" parts? I've never even heard of "power pack" stuff but then I'm not a SBC guy. 2) If they are, is this stuff worth anything? I'm gonna run a Hemi in the car and if these parts are marketable I'd like to sell them to recoup some of my investment (OK, I'm lying, I'm gonna buy more crap). Any help is greatly appreciated. --Bob
the front of a power pack head has a triangle boss on it.. like a rectangle with a triange on top of it..sorry no pictures my computers f'ing up on me tonight
If I remember right power packs have a pair of triangles on the drivers side head. You aren't going to recoup but a couple of hundred for the motor unless it's a Corvette. Mortec is a great sight to give you some info on the motor but the code on the front pass side of the block will give a lot more. Thats it in cliff note version.
It's something, not going to recoup a bunch. Mortec and one called Nastyz28, both are pretty general. Restorers might go nutty for that block if it's a trifive motor.
Ive got some good clean complete power pack heads i would trade for a good clean complete set of Hump heads maybe worth something to a restorer..or some one who just has to have the "right " set
I sold a pair of 1958 PP heads on epay a year or two ago for half a grand...some vette restorer needed them. But they were an oddball one year only casting number. Do some research, look up each part individually because most of the old engines in hot rods are mix-and-match. The block info can be found here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184304 and use mortec.com to look up the head casting numbers.
Thanks for all the info, guys.. Tomorrow I'll have to find those numbers! Maybe trash, maybe treasure.. well, it's not a Hemi so I'd have to lean towards trash (sorry, chevy boys, just teasin').
An easy way to quick check the earlier blocks was that they do not have side motor mount provisions >>>>.
Sure, but was there any difference between power pack, corvette, and regular blocks? Sorry if this seems silly but I have NO clue about chevys.
####### only the numbers ######## If you got the right numbers the resto cats bring out the big dough >>>>.
OK, thanks guys. Came across another problem, though; the stamped number does not seem to make any sense at all. It could have been altered, etc. I suppose, but if this makes any sense to anyone I would appreciate any advice. Number is 0I93400T56FB. Casting number (D656) indicates April 6 1956 and yes, that is a capital (i) as the second digit, not a one. Any clues?
The numbering system was changed in 57, 56 is the last year of the "old" system. The T56FB part of it tells you what the engine is, the rest is the engine serial number. FB for 1956 is the passenger car 265 with Power Pack and Powerglide trans. and that capital I is really a one, that's how they stamped the number one.
Thanks for all the help! I'll stick to Hemis for my rides.. these durned chevs are too complimacated.
the 55 v-8 had no provision for an oil filter in the normal position....drivers side rear...the filter [canister type] was located on top of the intake....dead giveaway...not sure about 56 and 57...any help here...???
Yes, '56 and '57 have oil filter provisions, the old "sock" style.. see, I'm becoming an "expert" (scary!)
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