Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Can you identify this Inline 6 ?

Saw this on craigslist and was curious how one would identify this engine?

By color it looks like a 261, but I thought they're supposed to have 2 short captain's bars towards the rear. This looks bigger than a 216, which was the original. In a '41 Chevy pickup.

If you right click on the image, and open in a new tab or new window, you will see a higher resolution than the forum will display.

Just looking at the stamping of the valve cover I think it is a 216. 235-261 attach with screws into the head along the bottom edge of the cover. GMCs mount with top studs like this but this is not a GMC cover. Some very early 235s looked like this but they are rare and I doubt if this is one. They still had poured babbitt bearings like the 216.

Ok, it looked different to me, but I just wasn't sure what it was...but it doesn't seem to have the 2 short captain bars that is often pointed out on the 235/261 (I am not positive which one).

Did GM replace the babbitt with bearings in the '56-'62 when they added lubrication? (babbitt is actually a kind of bearing)

The 216s had poured babbitt instead of shell type insert bearings. The '54 235 began the "full pressure" (oil pressure to the rods, the crank always had it) and insert rod and crank bearings. I believe the main thing was easier service and rebuilding. The old system actually works very well for any years. The 261 captain bar are on the side of the block and would not be seen in those pictures.

Captain Bars

Thanks Beater! That helps explain it.