Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Looking for a block for my next 265 build.Which one was the best to use back in the day? Yes I know a Bow Tie would be the one to use,but the lottery hasn't paid me off yet.LOL. I've heard stories about the 57 block being a lot thicker in the deck area, so i'm looking around for one of those.I think it has a casting that number ends in 548 .

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

I got a 55 (265 3 speed) under 140 tons of dirt if you like digging. Of course it's been there 45 years

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Thanks for the offer on the 55 block, but it is least desirable of the 265s.No oil filter that year. If it has a 4 bl intake I would be interested in that though.Casting number ends in 348.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

1957 only ---265 block had thicker deck surfaces. Some say that if the engine serial number is still on the block then look for a letterC at the end that is "supposed" to signify a thicker deck surface

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

"C" is correct for '57 265, a 57 283 block would end with an "F".

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

In 1959 there were some replacement 265 motors built for trucks. They were truly 283 blocks not bored all the way, reat thick walls and a neoprene rear seal. We found one. Good luck!

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

That is what I used in my old '56 Chevy. Had side mount bolt bosses. I got protested once over that. Some tech guys that did not know me & the car would feel for side mount bolt bosses. Then question me about it. At an out of div race, was protested. Told me "I know that is a 283" block! I had just learned about thick cylinder walls from Jere Stahl. That gentleman taught me a lot. Even located a guy locally Sonic Testing. Sure enough, the cylinder walls tested close to a tenth of an inch thicker than a '56 265" block I had in my garage. The deck was very thick as well.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

I would love to have a picture of one of those blocks.I had a Corvette guy( He claims to have thousands of sbc blocks) in Detroit tell me that there was" never a 265 block made with side mounts".He wants thousands for some of the 265 blocks he has,and they are not even dated for an early Vette.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

That was about 50 years ago. I didn't take pictures of everything like many do now. Would have to screwed with having them developed too. LOL

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

You sure got that rite, pictures where a luxury back then till the disposable camera and 1 hour developing huts came along. Anyone under 40 wouldn't understand LOL

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Hmmm, Let me guess. Tracy is his name? i would think the 548 blocks would be good and are available. I sold all mine (I think).

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Here is what Mr.Bill Jenkins said about 265 blocks in his 1971 Chevy Power Guide."In the case of the 3-3/4 inch bore blocks,the best one to use is the original 1957 castings.These 57 blocks featured a heavier top deck or head surface for better strength and optimum gasket sealing. They also had the constant feed lifter gallery oiling,which is more desiable."

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Lyn, not sure where the budget is, but a sleeved pre '68 327 would be a great way to go. A savvy machine shop will have access to sleeves that are reasonably priced.

Neat project and car. :) -Al

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

I have a 57 block that ends with the letter C that has been magged and cleaned, Also have a brand new small journal 3 inch stroke crank.

57 blocks had no side motor mounts.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Side mounts did not show up until 1958.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

The block I run in mine is a 3720991(1956 number) but it has the neoprene rear main seal so it must have been a service replacement unit. No side mounts.

The '57 265 is a 3731548 and the number on the passenger side(on the pad in front of the head) can be either a "C,CD or CE". Mine is a "CD" which I believe meant it came with a 3 speed overdrive manual transmission. The car it came out was a 2 door wagon.
I think "CE" meant heavy duty clutch.

I call it a "Poor Man's" Bow Tie block.

Crank is part #3735236.

None of the 265's I own have side mounts.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Do you happen to know what the part number was?

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

https://lansing.craigslist.org/pts/d...780189148.html.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Thanks for the link Bruce.I have seen 265 blocks/ complete engines from $100. to $1399. Depends on if it is for a Corvette or not.LOL I have a line on a 548 block that the owner says sonics .300 on the thrust side.Hope to get that one.Thanks everyone for all the info, and interest.I will let you know how it turns out.Will post build on the Racer Build Up thread.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Lyn a friend of mine has some 265 engine parts for sale. 991 block, heads, crank and manifold. I told him to look you up on here. His name is Rob Fisher

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Hi Lyn.....I have for sale parts from a 1955-56 Chevy 265 4bbl engine...
Intake # 3837109 J105 date........50.00
265 std block # 3720991..............50.00
Heads # 3703523 dated J204 and J264 50.00
std Crank # 6265 ...............................50.00
Distributor # 1110847..........................50.00
Manual trans flywheel 3703870..........25.00
timing cover w/ original flat head screws...25.00
Original water neck housing 370501B.....25.00
Fuel pump plate ,rod and factory marked bolts 25.00

Call or text 217-254-3115 ... Located in Humboldt IL 61931
WILL SHIP SMALLER ITEMS AND TAKE PAYPAL

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Lyn,
How much faster do you think the bogus but legal Turbo 400 or 350 is than the Powerglide?

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

I really don't know Frank.Will do some back to back tests this spring.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

A 57 265 block will also have a pad for a block mounted starter motor that the 55-56 blocks don't/can't have; makes it a lot easier to bolt up a 3 speed automatic, and not have to use an adapter. Plus they have better oiling than the 55-56 blocks. Getting hard to find, and I have one I'm keeping. There is also a rope seal conversion kit to a neoprene seal, Best Gasket Seal #3711X. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

Butch,
What is the part number for those blocks?

Re: Attn. 265 Racers.What block is the best?
 

#3731548. Same number as the '57-283. Will have a "C","CD" or "CE" on the front pad.