Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#441325 04/16/20 06:07 PM
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 21
JimGrn Offline OP
Grease Monkey
OP Offline
Grease Monkey
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 21
I am doing a little experiment/research. I am curious how long the 1958 Chevrolet six cylinder would last, mileage wise. Also, what kind of gas mileage did they get city to highway comparison? Gene I hope you see this.
Thx
Jim Greene

Wilwood Engineering1955-1957

Willwood Engineering

Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188


JimGrn #441339 04/16/20 10:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
Will reply Friday morning.


Gene Schneider
JimGrn #441362 04/17/20 11:16 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
The following are my observations from life in the dealeship from 1950-1977.

First being in the northern part of the country may present some diferences compared to cars operate in a warmer climate.
By 1958 the 235 was improved and was a fairly durable engine for 1958 standards. Probably was comparable to a 283. The "bottom end" seldom had problems. Valve grinding was not too common compared to a 216 or early 235. Chevrolet finnaly made a better quality exhaust valve. We did have a few that had lifter problems. After driving at high speed for a length of time a lifter could loose oil and clatter. This was improved for 1959 by going to a lower lift cam and weaker valve springs, Also it increased low speed torque and gas mileage. If oil was not changed often enough in the winter the oil passage in the block and head would plug up and rockers would starve for oil. Timing gears seldom gave a problem. The average 235 could go 100,000 mils without arebuild if oil was changed every 2000 miles. Oils were not as good as todaays oil even inspite of having a detergent. As a note most cars were considered to be worn out by 100,000 miles back then and by 10 years old the car was considered a junker. Some 235s did use a little more oil from new but never wore out the cylinder walls. City short trip driven cars did not last as long as long distance high speed driven cars.

Gas mileage on the open road would be in the 18 MPG gallon range and 20 with overdrive. Ciy could be any where from 15 or 16. Oil milage a QT. in 1000 miles.


Gene Schneider
JimGrn #441540 04/20/20 07:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
ChatMaster - 4,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
I clearly remember the oil feed problem to the rockers, and eventually the lifters and cam on the 235 in our '58 wagon. Dad had bought the car used and it was obvious that the oil had not been changed frequently. There was lots of sludge due to the relatively low detergent oils of those times. It was hard to keep it from plugging the oil feeds.

There are lots of debates about whether to modify the head bolt to allow more oil or where to put a restriction or whether a bypass oil filter helps or hurts oil pressure and flow or.... It can get pretty confusing!


Rusty

VCCA #44680
JimGrn #441542 04/20/20 07:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
ChatMaster - 4,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
Plus that was a marginal engine performance-wise for a full size station wagon with a PowerGlide. It was acceptable in the flatter terrain of eastern North Carolina. It really struggled with a family of 6 for the annual vacation to West Virginia.


Rusty

VCCA #44680
JimGrn #441543 04/20/20 07:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
The dealership where I was employed had a (new) 1958 6 Cyl. wagon with Power Glide for a courtesy car. It was very sluggish, the brakes were horibble and a 6 Cyl. did not have a front sway bar so it rocked like a boat.
In a sedan the 6 with PG felt adquate.

Oil to the rocker arms - The oil pumped up thru a passage in the block then zig zaged into a head passage The block to head part was the thickness of the head gasket and would fill with sludge.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 04/20/20 07:56 PM.

Gene Schneider
JimGrn #441636 04/22/20 02:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
ChatMaster - 4,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
Gene: Thanks for confirming my childhood memories!


Rusty

VCCA #44680

Link Copied to Clipboard
Support The VCCA!

Enjoy the forum? Become a VCCA member! The World's Best Chevrolet and GMC Club!


Member Photos
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
by DreamChevy, February 17
My 1933 Chevy 2 Dr. Sedan
My 1933 Chevy 2 Dr. Sedan
by 1939Chevy1, November 24
Back on the road 79 years later
2 1927 Chevrolet Trucks
2 1927 Chevrolet Trucks
by 1927TRUCKS, June 7
Who's Online Now
2 members (Pops36, 1 invisible), 75 guests, and 33 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
NeilA, Jayhicks, Tomvanhouten, Dads29Chevy, Tractorman
18,308 Registered Users
Today's Birthdays
aristech, RalphL, tonysk
Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics59,071
Posts429,063
Members18,308
Most Online1,133
Jan 22nd, 2020
 

Notice: Any comments posted herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the VCCA.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5