Being the curious type that I am, plus needing to know exactly what I have and will be working with, I proceeded to research the engine in the ’55.
I looked on several web sites to match the code I found on my engine’s block. What I finally concluded was that the engine I have is a 305 out of a 1980 Camaro, not a 400 which I had previously been led to believe.
Now that I have this information in hand, things should be a bit easier in the future when getting parts.