56 v-8 ?

[wnc mountain]

1956 265 cu." V-8 with power pack and 4 barrel.
Can someone fill me in on this motor. Is it worth the metal? Can you get parts for it? Strong? Weak? Torque?

Any input would be great as long as it is constructive.

[shuttermutt]

If it's rebuildable, don't scrap it. The 265 is the "little boy" in the SBC world, but most of the "rules" apply just as much to it as to any other small block. There are casting and journal differences, but they're still a viable engine. Naturally, they're worth more to the Bel Air crowd, but it could be a fun project. Me? I want to build a 302 (de-stroked 327) with lots of aluminum goodies and put it in a Cobra replica.

[Tx Firefighter]

You don't want it for any of your trucks. The 265 didn't have bosses in the side of the block for motor mounts. No workey in anything that uses side mounts.

[Slammed67]

I'm working one right now in my '56 wagon. A couple things to know...... these engines require a specific distributor and cam. Also, I found that the intake and heads are different than the '57+ engines (smaller ports). Kind of a unique beast so unless you are wanting a correct engine for a '56 Chevy, I'd pass it up ..... unless it's just too good of a deal.


Oh, and also what Tx Firefighter said.

Here is a thread regarding the 265 cams over on ChevyTalk.com that I highjacked

[Longhorn Man]

Wow...Most don't know about the 55/56 dist...it's like 1/2 inch longer than the "normal" GM dist.
I would grap it if it is fair price or better, and hold onto it while advertising it to the 56 chevy groups. You take it to the right market, and it is worth twice as much.

[Slammed67]

Actually the difference isn't in the length, but rather the bottem end of the distributor shaft as shown in the pic below ('56 dist. on the left). A '57+ dist. will physically fit in a '55/'56 block but will prevent proper oiling of the lifter galley.

[Joe67]

This may be more information then you ever expected

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/sp...956_265_V8.cfm

[passthebuck]

I had a chance to buy a set of vintage aluminum Corvette valve covers from 56. I looked at them & by chance noticed that the top cover bolts are closer together than the bottom ones. weird huh?

[ChevLoRay]

I didn't find the pix of the distributors.

I have an early GM distributor, and I believe it to be from a 265 engine. The cap doesn't have a window on it, and it says "Patent Pending" on the top. In addition, it has an oiling tube. Seems that it was just like the one on my neighbor's one-family 55 210 2-dr 265/PG car. The car has less than 49,000 original miles. His great-grandfather bought it new, and gave it to him when he turned 16. Still has the original seat covers and carpet. It was repainted when it was new, because the buyer didn't like the original yellow/green two-tone.

So, how's about the pix of the distributor link??