anybody with knowledge know what this motor is ?

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

 

Here's the pic for you SBC guys.

 

it looks like all of those... without the numbers there is'nt much else to do but guess.

 

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.

 

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 ??

 

i bet you its a 305.. haha

 

Party-pooper....

 

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

 

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 .

 

try mortec.com

 

on the front right top i saw these numbers FI28C not sure if that means anything

 

Regardless of the CID of it the points should be .016-.019

 

At least he didn't say 307 .

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Jeezus louizus,everybody knows that right and left are refered to from the drivers seated position.

 

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)

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Karnack holds the letter to his head and says, "Small block chevy". Karnack opens the letter and reads," What is this motor"?

 

No It's Got A 4 Speed ,it Has A Holley Street Dominator Intake Manifold , Are They Any Good ??

 

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.

 

looks like a plain ol' sbc to me.

 

If you want to be sure....There is a machined pad on thr block right in front of the p***enger side head. There is a number with 2 or 3 letter.....Look those letters up here.

http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

 

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.

 

he already did that....the letter is C.....

 

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

 

are you looking at a Canadian book?