I try and fill some space here
I try and fill some space here My dad and I are in the process of restoring a '56 Bel Air. For the most part is going to be original. However the little ole 265 is pretty tired for that size of car. We are going to rebuild it, and go intake, carb, headers, and maybe heads. My question to whomever wants to answer, what is the maximum overbore for that engine. I know it has the same block as the 350, just a way smaller bore.
Brandon
Brandon
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 743
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From: Foley, Alabama-southern Alabama
Brandon,I think the 265 has a 3 7\8 bore and I believe you can bore it at least .060 over,maybe you could have it sonic tested to be sure.Are you using the old 265 to keep the car original?If not I would find a good 350 to build,maybe make a 383 stroker.I do know the old smallblocks had some differences like the oil filltube on the front of the intake and I believe there is oil journals on those old camshafts.If you change heads on the 265 remember about the smaller bore and the smaller chamber to keep the CR up,I believe World make a head for that smaller bore also the 305 heads might work as it has a smaller bore.Hope this helps. 
The 265 has small journal crank, so you are just better off switching to a 350 block. The 265 was a 3.75 bore with a 3" stroke. If you were to use that crank in a small journal 327 block, you would get a 302. Nice and revvy.
