VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1958-1960 58 Del Ray Questions

I have inherited my grandfather's 58 Del Ray, and need some advice.

3 speed column shift tranny: what fluid?

Differential: what fluid?

Tires: What size/brand came on this originally? I have 215/75R14 Winston whitewalls (California II) on the steel rims now.

Should I add an oil filter kit to it, or keep it original? Will that hurt the value?

I have given it two oil changes in the past week with Gunk Engine Flush. Seems to be running clean now. Using 10w-40.

I want to put electric wipers on it too, but don't want to hurt the "original-ness" of it.

Thanks for the help!

On the differential it used 90 wt multipurpose gear grease (do not use mineral oil) on the 3 speed tranny used 90 wt multipurpose gear grease. some folks now use a multi wt gear grease 70 to 120 comes to mind or maybe it is 80 to 160WT. any way the guys at the quick lube should know. My '88 GMC with Manual 5 speed OD tranny,aluminum case, uses a special transmission fluid. This is not what your 58 needs. I do believe that Electric 2 speed wipers were optional on 1958 cars.

Thanks MrMack!

I have some 80w90 oil in the garage now (texaco gear oil). I suppose that will do, right?

In 1958 the 8 cyl. had ele. wipers and the 6 cyl. had vac. wipers with the double vacuum booster fuel pump.It was the last Chev. passenger car to use vac. wipers.
to be original you could install a AC oil filter.It was a correct accesory.Its the bright blue filter with the orange cover

Opps Hit the wrong button and ended too soon. The filter clamps unto the intake manifold with lines running down to the lower block.Its a old by pass type filter,which is better than nothing.If you want to be
good to your engine just change oil every 1000 miles or once a year and it will run for another 25 years.

Sorry again I missed the tire question. The standard size was 7.50 X 14.
in 1958 Chev. was using US Royal(now Uniroyal),BFGoodrich,and Firestone tires.Radial tires were unheard of then.In todays replacement antiQue tires the USRoyal Safety 8 that is available & is a copy of the US tire made in 1958.Not saying its good or bad though.The average tire in 1958 would last only 20,000 to 25,000 miles.

Would like to correct some errors. Had a hard day today and wasnt thinking .Yes, ele. wipers were a factory option on 1958 6 cyls.All I can remember on the ele. wipers is that we kept at least 6 exchange units in stock because they were so troublesome.The 58 wiper motor fits 58 only,as is the case of most 58 body parts.Also I meant if you drive less than 1000 a year change once a year.When I do long distance driving with my cars such as 2000 in a week I"ll exceed the 1000 mark.Also they used General tires too in 1958,That is what was on both my 57 & 58 when new. Now its time to call it a day...

Hi morgan,

The original tires were 7:50-14 blackwalls.

There was a whitewall RPO 7:50-14 available.

Also, their was a RPO 8:00-14 which you can use.

Sorry for the delay responding - I was computerless in Ohio last week....

I appreciate all the help and replies. Thanks.

I noticed that one of the tire companies spec'ed out a 800-14 tire for my car based on year and model. Right now, I'll have to opt for the $50 versions to get the car mechanically sound. Maybe later, I can splurge for the $160 orginal type tires. Good information to have for then.

Where can I find the rubber door stoppers, hood stoppers, and chrome trim clips?

I had a paint job done in the 80's, to stop the surface rust from becoming a problem. The body guy drilled two holes in the chrome trim and used sheet metal screws in two places to replace it! I could have bit a nail in half when I saw that! Hopefully, I will be able to have the chrome filled in with weld and rechromed at those spots later.

The 8.00X14 were standard on wagons & convertibles due to the extra weight.Your light little 2 door will be fine with the 7.50 but could use 8.00 if desired. It is difficult to say as to what to save on the junker.So few things are usable after they stand outside for years.Is it a 8 cyl. with ele. wipers?

Good points. Without power steering, and the fact that it is a Del Ray (low end styling), Maybe I should go with the 7.50 for easy turning and originality.

I haven't "trespassed" to see the junker yet. It's trunk is pointing at the road. It is about 100 yards off of the road in some pine trees.

I do know where a good 348 engine is at a nearby shop. If anybody wants info, I'll be happy to find out more. My neighbor turned it with a wrench and said that it was smooth. I am keeping mine original, although it is tempting to swap out for a V8. Are the engine mounts the same? I wouldn't want to cut or weld my frame.

Hi Morgan,

To replace the six with the V8 you will need the following....

Engine wiring harness and subharness
Fan shroud
Front springs
fuel line
throttle linkage and arm
Frame mounts (for motor mounts)
upper and lower rad hoses.
348 had dual exhaust - so you will need an new exhaust system - and the hangars.

Everyrthing will "bolt right in".

The molding with the "drilled holes" can be salvaged. You will need to TIG the holes shut, then grind and polish.

Rubber trim pieces are available from Steele Rubber Products or www.lategreatchevy.com

so in a 58 belair u wouldnt use regular transmission fluid? im reading here that you need to use gear oil? is this correct

If it has an automatic transmission you use automatic trans. flide (Dexron).
It it has a standard transmission ou use #90 gear oil.

If it were me, I would leave it orginal, I made a mistake installing a V8 from the orginal six. Orginals are hard to come by, and worth alot more. The 3-speed on the column, are rare. Sounds to me you want to keep it orginal. Just my opinion. But depends if you want it orginal or custom.