VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum 1957 Chev dual quad, w/283ci/270 hp motor.

We are seeking information on the dual quad, 283ci, 270 hp, shp, engine found in our 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. We've purchased the Chevrolet Shop Manual and Factory Assembly Manual, as well as the "57 Chevrolet Restoration Guide. These are fine publications but don't seem to tell us just how many 1957 Chevrolets may have been produced with this optional engine, which we believe is referred to at RPO 411. Any suggestions for reference books/publications/etc ?

Thank you.
Hank & Ronnie.

I probably have as many books as anyone but the production numbers for specific engines is not shown in any of them.
The engine number will have the EB coe for the 270 HP engine.
The production option number for the 245 HP hydraulic cam engine was 411. The 270 HP solid lifter cam RPO (regular production option) was 411 & special cam.
That engine came with a 3 speed close ratio transmission only. Starting off in low gear is almost like a 2nd gear start unless equipped with a 4.56 rear end.
The 270HP was not a common engine in 1957 unless you went to a drag strip. Thats where you couls find them.
My guess is that there were about 1500 sold in passenger cars at the most.

i too have wondered about the # of 245 and 270 HP chevy pass cars produced in 1957. when it comes to the fuel injected 57 pass cars, my research indicates about 1000 to 1500 57 chevy pass cars left the plants with rochester FI units. if the pass car FI's 250 to 283 HP ratio is similar to that of the 57 corvette 250/283 hp ratio, and i suspect they'd be similar, then about 100 to 150 57 chevys were built with the 250 HP FI engine and 900 to 1400 57 chevy pass cars left the assembly line with the solid lifter 283 HP engine. have no idea how many 57 chevys left the factory with either the 245HP or 270HP dual quad engines, but i suspect the ratio of solid lifter dual quads to hydraulic lifter critters .mike

Thanks Mike. I'm Hank, Rose and Jim Maguires' NCRS friend from Long Island. Thought I'd diversify my car collection and add a "57 ragtop with the aforementioned 283/270 hp engine. I've discovered, unlike Corvettes, there isn't a real wealth of technical information, especially on this motor. I've spoken with a lot of "experts" but really haven't found the one real source for accurate, verifiable information on this option. I'm open for suggestions. Hope you and the family had a great Christmas and New Years.

sorry guys don't mean to hijack this thread, but its sorta related. Somewhere around 30 years ago, my grandmother gave me a long abandoned air filter that was hanging in her barn. OK so I asked for it, but she DID give it to me.
It was triangular, dual oil bath, dual carb (I assume 4 barrels) looks just like those that came on the dual 4 283 57's, except, it was gold. Ya'll have any idea what car it came from? Olds maybe?

Olds never had a dual Quad....Cadillac did and it was gold.

Olds never used a 2 x 4 carb setup on the 303 ci thru 394 ci engines. it was either a single 2 bbl, 3 x 2 bbls, or a single 4 bbl. Chevy did offer 2 x 4 engines on their 56 and 57 pass cars(i'm not familiar with the 58 up chevy engines). as i recall, Caddys offered 2 x 4 engines in the mid to late 50's so the air cleaner from your grandma's could be chevy or caddy. mike