As many of you guys know I have a project car that I am very slowly working on in my free time with my Girlfriend. It's a 1957 Chevy Two-Ten that is owned by her family and has been in the family since new.
We have started the clean up process and are essentially taking everything apart and cleaning/refreshing it. This also includes draining every old fluid out of the engine and replacing it with fresh new fluids. I discussed all of this in my last blog about this car:
Whats under the hood?
Ever sice I first saw this car I knew almost everything about it except for which engine was under the hood.
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~Now I know at this point many of you are~ ~probably saying~
"You idiot, how could you not know what engine is under the hood if you've been working under there?"
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Well I'm not an expert in older GM engines and all I knew is that it was an original V8 car and either had the 265 or 283 engine. I assumed since it was a base model with the "3 speed on the tree", no radio, no AC, and no power anything; that it had the smaller 265 V8 which would make sense. The one thing that held me up was that the engine is painted in Chevy Orange, which usually indicates the bigger 283 V8.
So what is it?
Well I finally have the answer after getting the chance to sit down and talk with my Girlfriends Dad (the owner of the car). This car actually has the larger 283 V8, which is awesome news!! It means that the car is quite a bit more powerful than I originally thought.
Just as this old ment says "Chevy puts the Purr in Performance" which is quite literally true.
Specs
The 283 V8 had several variations ranging from making a mere 185hp all the way up to 283hp in some fuel injected versions. Judging by some research I've done, I would say my car is somewhere in the middle at around 220hp-245hp. I've come to this conclusion because my car is carbureted and has the 3 speed manual transmission.
With this new information I can finally take everything apart with confidence and begin to make a parts list. Luckily I have a great connection at NAPA Auto Parts so I can get everything I need at a great price!!
Until next time guys.... Thanks for reading and as always keep your eyes open for updates!!
~Isaac (vette1999)~
Comments (39)
Love the car! Glad you found out the engine displacement and one question are you keeping the paint original
Reply to: vette1999
I like the preserved paint more than a fresh coat. I would treat and clear coat it but either way it will look good.
Reply to: ZacTak
Yeah, if it were my car I would just treat and clear the original pain. But since her Dad is The owner he makes all final decisions, especially when he's paying.
Reply to: vette1999
That's very true.
Nice, my father has a 1957 4dr sedan Belair also. It also has the 283, but it has been sitting in my uncles garage for the past twenty years and I only seeing it when I was very little, nobody has seen it in 10+ years so we have no idea what shape it is in. Definitely will be out within the next year! Good luck on yours.
Aww I hate to hear stories like that but at least it's been in a garage. Hopefully it's in descent shape and you can restore it!! Also thanks, it's a slow process but definitely fun.
Reply to: vette1999
Before and after....and i aint done,i just wanna get it in the truck and when i pull it back out to rebuild it i will fully clean and paint it
Reply to: Nicks backyardprojects
Oh wow that looks pretty good!! I would like to pull the engine in the 57 Chevy and do a deep cleaning and teardown/rebuild.
57 chevys are badass, would be really cool if it was a 2 door
57's are just so iconic! And you're right, but honestly the 4 door has grown on me.
Should I feel bad because those old American cars look nice when they aren't cared for
Not at all. I honestly like the patina, rough look. I would really like to throw a coat of clear coat over this original paint to preserve it.
Your car has the little rochester 2 barrel carb. Those power ratings are for 4 barrel cars. This is a 185 hp car.
Had no idea tbh. Like I said this is honestly my first old car that I'm working on so it's definitely a learning experience.
This is probably a really dumb question but, how can you tell the difference between 2&4 barrel carbs?
Reply to: vette1999
the 4 barrel carbs are bigger with a larger opening for the 4 venturies