Register now to get rid of these ads!

anybody with knowledge know what this motor is ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by solomon, Mar 2, 2007.

  1. solomon
    Joined: Feb 15, 2007
    Posts: 28

    solomon
    BANNED
    from louisiana

    i recently bought this 57 chevy .but i'm a newbie and i'm learning as i go .i'm trying to find out what this engine is , i had one friend say it's a 327 and another said it's a 283 and yet another say it's a 350 .somebody suggested looking on the rear left top of the block for engine numbers but i can't get a good look as the engine sits so close to the firewall,,i'm stumped and any help is extremely appreciated ,here is a link to a pic of the motor .
    http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?&p=999&uid=8286974&gid=15471291&&imgid=234739292&offset=0
     
  2. Here's the pic for you SBC guys.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. kustombuilder
    Joined: Sep 18, 2002
    Posts: 7,750

    kustombuilder
    Member
    from Novi, MI

    it looks like all of those... without the numbers there is'nt much else to do but guess.
     
  4. draggin ass
    Joined: Jun 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,920

    draggin ass
    BANNED
    from hell

    are you seriosuly trying to find out what kind of small block that is by a picture of it at a far distance..... yer crazy get a mirror and get the numbers.
     
  5. solomon
    Joined: Feb 15, 2007
    Posts: 28

    solomon
    BANNED
    from louisiana

    i told yall i'm new , lol thanks for the idea i'll try the mirror .anybody know a site where i can check the numbers to find out what it is ??
     
  6. draggin ass
    Joined: Jun 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,920

    draggin ass
    BANNED
    from hell

    i bet you its a 305.. haha
     
  7. Party-pooper....:mad:
     
  8. ELpolacko
    Joined: Jun 10, 2001
    Posts: 4,682

    ELpolacko
    Member

    There is a web cast into the early blocks just left of the thermostat housing between the timing cover and intake manifold. Yours appears to have it. Most likely a 283 OR 327.

    Without the numbers it is just a guessing game.

    check out www.mortec.com
     
  9. solomon
    Joined: Feb 15, 2007
    Posts: 28

    solomon
    BANNED
    from louisiana

    the reasoni'm looking to find out is because i want to find out what motor it is so i can set the points gap , cuz the motor spins but wont turn over ,i'm not getting spark .
     
  10. 4T4DR
    Joined: Jan 21, 2006
    Posts: 97

    4T4DR
    Member

    try mortec.com
     
  11. solomon
    Joined: Feb 15, 2007
    Posts: 28

    solomon
    BANNED
    from louisiana

    on the front right top i saw these numbers FI28C not sure if that means anything
     
  12. Regardless of the CID of it the points should be .016-.019
     
  13. El-Cid
    Joined: Feb 17, 2005
    Posts: 169

    El-Cid
    Member

    At least he didn't say 307:eek: .
     
  14. beetlejuice55
    Joined: Feb 18, 2007
    Posts: 738

    beetlejuice55
    Member

    you can use a matchbook cover to set the point gap (about 19-20 thosandths of an inch) if i were you, i'd check that little white ceramic doo dad on the firewall (it's a ballast resistor). if it has a slight crack in it, you will not get spark. rain water can drip off the hood and onto the ballast resistor when you open the hood, causing it to crack (if it's hot when the water hits it) cracked ballast resistors are common, especially when they are mounted on the firewall like that. the ballast resistor is there to supply 12 volts to the distributor, if it's cracked, the dist. will not be getting the 12 volts that it needs to make spark.
    a ballast resistor is about $6.00, and is simple to replace. i'd replace the ballast resistor, set the point gap to 19-20 thousandths and also check the plugs to make sure they are not fouled out.
     
  15. Actually a ballast resistor lowers the voltage to extend points life. Chevys usually had a resistor wire built into the distributor feed circuit. When cranking the engine full 12 volts was delivered to the coil from an additional wire off of the starter. 12 volts to fire the coil on start up then when running lowered to around 9 volts.Solomon should invest in a testlight and check the voltage at the negative side of the coil.....when cranking the testlight should pulse as the wire is grounded through the points. A defective condensor can also play havoc with the ignition.
     

  16. define "right top". look on the front of the engine on the p***enger side. there will be a machined pad sticking out in front of the head right next to the water pump. get those numbers.
     
  17. Yo Baby
    Joined: Jul 11, 2004
    Posts: 2,811

    Yo Baby
    Member

    Jeezus louizus,everybody knows that right and left are refered to from the drivers seated position.
     
  18. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,937

    squirrel
    Member

    F128C means it was made in Flint, Michigan, on January 28th (or is it December 8th?), C is a 1957 265....so it might be the original engine! neat.

    (edit: pretty sure it's Jan 28th, otherwise it would be F1208C if it were Dec 8th)
     
  19. beetlejuice55
    Joined: Feb 18, 2007
    Posts: 738

    beetlejuice55
    Member

    thanks for correcting me. i was trying to say that, but i couldn't figure out how to make it sound right.
    yes, a test light woudl be a must in this situation.
     
  20. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,500

    Squablow
    Member

    I've always been told that you could only get a 265 in '57 with a 3 speed stick and not with PG. Is that true? And if it is, does this specific '57 have a 3 speed in it?
     
  21. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,937

    squirrel
    Member

    I don't know for sure, I just know that the C code on a small block means it's probably a 57 265. I've read the same thing about the 283 being used with PG and the 265 with manual trans in 57.
     
  22. publicenemy1925
    Joined: Feb 4, 2007
    Posts: 3,187

    publicenemy1925
    Member
    from OKC, OK

    Karnack holds the letter to his head and says, "Small block chevy". Karnack opens the letter and reads," What is this motor"?
     
  23. solomon
    Joined: Feb 15, 2007
    Posts: 28

    solomon
    BANNED
    from louisiana

    No It's Got A 4 Speed ,it Has A Holley Street Dominator Intake Manifold , Are They Any Good ??
     
  24. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,937

    squirrel
    Member

    It's just fine.....a typical 1970s style hot rod. As long as it runs ok, I'd suggest you just drive it as is for a while and see how you like it. and meanwhile, think about what you might want to do with the car in the future, maybe you like it as is, maybe you will want more power? or more traditional looks? or who knows.
     
  25. pan-dragger
    Joined: Sep 13, 2006
    Posts: 3,186

    pan-dragger
    Member

    looks like a plain ol' sbc to me.
     
  26. poncho62
    Joined: Nov 23, 2005
    Posts: 1,094

    poncho62
    BANNED

  27. the shadow
    Joined: Mar 5, 2005
    Posts: 1,105

    the shadow
    Member

    if the motor is mounted off the front of the block (on either side of the timing cover) and has no mounts cast into the side of the block it's an early 283/265 if it has the traditional motor mounts cast into the side of the block it's a later block.
     
  28. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,937

    squirrel
    Member

    he already did that....the letter is C.....
     
  29. poncho62
    Joined: Nov 23, 2005
    Posts: 1,094

    poncho62
    BANNED

    C 1957 265 m/t, 3 spd - - - cars/Vette/Omega

    C 1958 283 m/t, 3 spd - 185 2 cars

    C 1960 283 m/t - 170 2 cars/Omega

    Guess that narrowed it down anyways
     
  30. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,937

    squirrel
    Member

    are you looking at a Canadian book? :)
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.