Projects Cutting my Hotrod Teeth (57 Chevy Budget build/revival)

Absolutely! Still got plenty of meat on it to be used on some project someday. For now, I just want something that’s gonna work without fiddling too much with it.

 

Certainly not with the 3 speed and stock rear end, but think of it as future proofing. Plus, it’s cheaper anyway

I’ve pretty much already decided I’d never sell this car since it was my first “old” car, so I might as well think long term if I can.

 

Something I had to figure out for myself was always look at the motor and transmission mounts when working through clutch and shifter problems.

 

If it's the three speed from the original 235 I think I'd personally avoid clutch dumps of any kind lol

 

Yeahhhh, they aren’t looking so good. Not even 100 miles/8 years on them and they need replacing already. Ugh

 

Yeah, it is lol

 

Yeah definitely no clutch dumps and make sure to be full stop before down shifting to 1st from second lol

 

I have NOTHING nice to say about diaphragm clutches, flat or raised finger, other than the fact they have the easiest pedal pressure. For your application, either one will suffice.

 

Also known as “no cop, no stop”

 

Still waiting for parts but I went on a hamb friendly field trip after work to pick up a dirt cheap 265! Been wanting one of these vette air cleaners for the belair, and I’m in it for less than the price of a repop one. Never hurts to have an extra small block kicking around in this hobby…

 

I've been wanting a set of those valve covers lol

 

Out of a Corvette, no less!

 

@Algoma56 raises a question…if that’s a Corvette air cleaner and valve covers, could it be a corvette engine?
If so, it would be from maybe the first 3-4 years a V8 was used, then Vette guys get a bit nuts about numbers that gets them is the range of their cars.
Might be worth checking into.

 

Corvette front engine mount plate?

 

It is corvet orange. Nuff said.

 

It should have no side mont bosses and a '55 block will lack an oil filter.

 

Nothing special guys, it came out of a 56 truck or panel, though it did spend some time in the seller’s grandfather’s ‘58 vette.

 

Just noticing the exhaust manifolds look really clean on it

 

Is the 6 cylinder transmission different? I think the V8 cars used the same ones.

 

The’ve definitely been rattle canned. The motor cane with a pair of correct ‘56 “log” manifolds too which is cool. And an american made Delco alternator and tri five fuel pump that looks rebuildable. It was very much worth it just for the parts, not even sure if I’ll ever use the block itself lol

 

Same on all 57 p***enger cars, unless it was an overdrive unit. Those were a different model transmission. All the standard 3 speed 57 p***enger cars used the Muncie 318 as far as I know. Not the best transmission for drivability or durability, but it’ll work fine until the right hamb-era 4 speed comes along!

The bell housing is different though. They didn’t standardize the bolt pattern for that until the Chevy 250(?) in 1962(?)

 

Well, it was a full body workout, and I’ve always been scrawny, but the trans is back in the car along with the new clutch. It’s basically identical to the one I took out, but with the correct throwout bearing this time. The pedal feels MUCH better, and now I have proper free-play with the throwout bearing fully separated from the diaphragm, and approx. 1 inch of light pedal before it firms up.

Still waiting on a few bits and pieces to put the linkage back together (all the bushings are completely wasted) but the hard part is done now.

 

Tomorrow I’m going to tackle the gaskets/rear seal. I’m really not looking forward to it, but it needs to be done. I’m not even sure if the main seal is leaking. It honestly looks like it’s mostly just the oil pan, but since the pan’s coming off anyway and I’ve already got the seal, I’m forcing myself to do it

 

I have 55 Chevy manifolds on my 53. I actually prefer them. If using front mounts they add a lot of clearance

 

Instead of resealing the oil pan on the 283 I’d be tempted to toss in the new 265 with all the matched components. Unless you know if there’s a rod knock or something?

 

No idea how/if the 265 runs, I just know the 283 runs well, and it’s already in the car

 

Well, if you've got the pan off, you could take a good look at the main seal, and see if it shows evidence of being the source of the leak. Would've been a lot easier with flywheel off, so I should have posted this before you installed the clutch ***emble,, sorry! Then you'd know if you should mess with it.

 

Since the issue with the clutch wasn’t due to oil on the disc, etc. , I’d look real hard at if the rear seal needs to be replaced as said above, get a mirror and light in the back of the intake area, naught be leaking down.
And remember, after a month of a few drips of oil, it’ll look like a quart.

Growing up the common thing from the Ford crowd was “you have a Chevy? Check the gas and add oil “