Chevrolet 265 V8 Engine
Updated October 19, 2026
| Lot number | 25 |
| Category | Vehicles & Automotive |
| Auction | Clipp Auto Parts- Retirement Auction! |
| Date | November 10, 2026 at 8:05 PM EST |
| Auction house | Rainmaker Auctions |
| Location | Nappanee, Indiana |
Chevrolet 265 V8 (1955–1957) 7 The engine you're probably referring to is the Chevrolet 265 cubic-inch V8, rather than a 256. This is one of the most historically important engines Chevrolet ever built. Introduced in 1955, it was the original Chevrolet small-block V8, the ancestor of the legendary 283, 327, 350, and many other Chevrolet engines. Developed under Chevrolet engineer Ed Cole, the 265 was compact, relatively lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture, and surprisingly powerful for its size. Specifications Feature Specification Production years 1955–1957 Displacement 265 cubic inches (4.3 liters) Configuration 90-degree OHV V8 Block and heads Cast iron Bore 3.75 inches Stroke 3.00 inches Compression Typically 8.0:1; higher on performance versions Horsepower 162–240 hp, depending on year and version Fuel delivery Carbureted Cooling Water-cooled Horsepower by model year Year Available horsepower ratings 1955 162, 180, and 195 1956 162, 170, 205, 210, 225, and 240 across passenger cars and Corvettes 1957 162 (the 283 became the performance V8) These are period gross horsepower ratings. StudyLib +2 What cars used the 265? The engine appeared in Chevrolet's famous Tri-Five passenger-car lineup, including the 150, 210, and Bel Air, as well as the 1955–1956 Corvette. The standard 1955 two-barrel V8 made 162 horsepower, while the optional four-barrel Power Pack version made 180 horsepower. Chevrolet's 1955 Corvette version made 195 horsepower. Something collectors should know The 1955 engine is substantially different from later Chevrolet small-blocks, particularly in its oil filtration arrangement. The original 1955 block did not have the later integrated full-flow oil filtration system. This makes correct early engines especially interesting to restorers. A genuine, properly dated 265 can be more desirable to someone restoring an original 1955 or 1956 Chevrolet than a more powerful replacement engine. Chevrolet 265 V8 reference PDF I've prepared a one-page reference covering the engine's history, specifications, horsepower, applications, and identification considerations. Download Chevrolet 265 V8 Guide (PDF) One question: Are you researching a 265 engine in a particular car, or do you have a loose engine you're trying to identify or appraise? If you have an engine, its casting and stamped numbers can tell us considerably more about its original application and potential collector value.
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