56 v-8 ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wnc mountain · 08-11-2004, 10:29 PM

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 · 08-11-2004, 10:42 PM

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 · 08-11-2004, 11:01 PM

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 · 08-11-2004, 11:04 PM

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 · 08-11-2004, 11:21 PM

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 · 08-13-2004, 12:12 PM

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 · 08-13-2004, 12:15 PM

This may be more information then you ever expected

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

**passthebuck** · 08-13-2004, 04:22 PM

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 · 08-13-2004, 04:46 PM

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??

08-11-2004, 10:29 PM	#1
wnc mountain More hobbies than money! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Raleigh, nc, usa Posts: 655	56 v-8 ? 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. __________________ '70 cst10/swb 350, 3 on the tree, factory buckets. '70 GMC lwb 350/350 ps,pb '72 c-10 lwb 350/350 a/c, ps, pb '72 Blazer project

08-11-2004, 10:42 PM	#2
shuttermutt Don't say "Oops!", Doctor Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 677	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. __________________ 'Mutt 1968 CST LWB: R.I.P. 1967 Chevelle: TPI 454 beast 1967 C10 SWB: Claimed when Bumpster didn't put it on his list

08-11-2004, 11:01 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	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. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-11-2004, 11:04 PM	#4
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	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 __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

08-13-2004, 12:12 PM	#6
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	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. __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

08-11-2004, 11:21 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	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.

08-13-2004, 12:15 PM	#7
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	This may be more information then you ever expected http://www.secondchancegarage.com/sp...956_265_V8.cfm __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

08-13-2004, 04:22 PM	#8
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	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? __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

08-13-2004, 04:46 PM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	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?? __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.



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