VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 chev engine blue flame

hello all what year did they call the chev engine blue flame and was it a name from chev or did people just make it up like stove bolt thanks tony

Here is a piece googled up from the inter-web..........

In 1937, GM released a new inline six with slight improvements in both durability and performance. This generation of six-cylinder engine is commonly known as the “Blue Flame” engine. “Blue Flame” was an advertising term used by GM in the ’30s and ’40s to describe the efficiency of GM engines. According to the advertising guys, a blue flame (rather than yellow) meant perfect combustion was being achieved. The name was actually only used on specific engines from ’53-’62, not the entire generation.

Not sure how accurate it is.

Roger

Yeah, the name was not officially used on anything until the 1953 Powerglide 235 (but not on the stick shift car in '53), which was also the first that it was actually painted blue instead of gray. Beginning in '54 it was used in all cars (automatic or stick). I have never heard it applied to the engines of the cars from the 30's or 40's. Those earlier decades' engines are more commonly and unofficially referred to as the Stovebolt Six.

ChevyGuru's description is very similar to what was explained to me.
Tony

The name "Blue Flame" first began with the 1934 Master engine. It refered to the new Blue Flame combustion chamber. In early 1934 advertising they named the "Blue Streak" name but soon changed to Blue Flame as Blue Streak was a name used by another car maker, Graham. The name was e used in 1934 advertising in promoting the new 80 horse power engine.
Through the years Chevrolet often refered to the Blue Flame combustion chamber and in 1953 the new blue colored Power Glide engine became the Blue Flame engine.

ok thanks for that a lot of people call my 39 a blue flame and I often wondered if it was right
also may I ask was the 1955 the first year of full oil pressure a lot of guys seem to fit the 55/ 56 engines to there cars

Going back to 1953, the 235 with a powerglide was a full pressure engine.

1953 235 with a stick shift was NOT a full pressure.

1954 and up 235 is full pressure.

Don't want to skew the excellent thread, but how about the "Victory Six?" I was thinking it was the 1941 -48. Not sure, though.

Charlie

ok its good to learn about the good old chev what year did the 261 come out I was told 1955 and 1956 did they finish this style of engine after this go to v 8 ?

The 261 truck engine was new for 1954....and lasted through 1962.
I believe Canadian Pontiacs had the 261 engine in 1955.