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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15
Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15 |
Can anyone tell me how to tell which engine my 57' Bel Air convertible is supposed to have. I though the guy that I bought the car from had the original engine, but it is not. My options as I understand it are the 265 and 283. The car has a gear selector for a powerglide transmission which appears to be originqal. Help !!!!!
" It is what it is "
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Willwood Engineering
Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
A stick with a 2 barrel would have a 265....anything with a 4 barrel (or more) would have a 283 and anything with an automatic would have a 283.....so that means that the 265 was not common.Was not the same 265 block as used in 1955 and 1956.The 1957 265 was a 283 block (had all the 1957 improvements) bored ot to 3 3/4" and the 283 bore out to 3 7/8".
What is the engine code stamped into the right front of the block - just forward of the right cyl. head at about the same angle as the head gasket-and the block casting number - just to the rear of the left cyl. head.Casting numbe for a 1957 block is 3731548...find any other casting numbers-intake-heads, etc.
Last edited by Chev Nut; 12/15/06 11:19 PM.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Nov 2001
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ChatMaster - 15,000
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ChatMaster - 15,000
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Likely it was a 283 (cu. in.). Very few convertibles were factory equiped with a six. If it had the six cylinder (235 cu. in.) then the radiator would be mounted in front of the core support. Also check the serial number if it has a V as the first letter then it was a V-8. The 265 was not installed in the convertibles. If it originally was a powerglide or turboglide then it would not have the ball support for the clutch arm welded to the drivers side frame rail. The throttle linkage and brake arm, lack of a clutch pedal are also clues to the original transmission and carburation.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
A 3 Spd. or 3 Spd. with over drive with a 2 barrel would be the base V8 engine for any body style.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15
Grease Monkey
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OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15 |
I do not have the engine at all. It appears that it is an original automatic as there are no signs of a clutch pedal or mount for the clutch. The gear selector appears original as I scraped some paint off of it and there are no other colors under it. I think it originally had the powerglide trans. according to the selector. This car really appears to be a pretty basic model with the only upgrades that I can see at this point are the continental kit and fender skirts. I bought some books that Gene suggested and they have been very helpful so far. "Thanks Gene". So from what I am seeing here and reading in the books that I got, it is most likely a 283ci. with a 2 barrel carb. Thanks once again for your help guys.
" It is what it is "
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
If the vehicle had a Power Glide and the 2 barrel 283 engine the brake and gas lines will run on the inside of the side frame rail.If a 4 barrel (or more) will be to the out side of the frame rail.Also would have "factory" brackets on both the right and left side for the muffler/tail pipe brackets (attached to the frame)....and the left side only for the 2 barrel single exhaust engine.(all engines "above" it had duals standard).
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15
Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 15 |
Looks like a 283 with a 2 barrel. Thanks again for the help.
" It is what it is "
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