I have never posted here, and me and wife just acquired a 57 chevy 4 door 210, with an inline 6 cyl, with a 3 speed manual with overdrive. That is about all I know, and just started looking it over. I know it has sat for about 7 years and not driven since then. It is in pretty good shape. We want it as our daily driver, and I want to keep the engine for now, and that will be gone over and cleaned soon. We want it to be reliable like our other cars and have no worries that everything will run smooth when we get in. I don't care alot about super speed and things, but having a good driver that looks cool. My questions are about transmission and rear end. What are the best upgrades for these without doing major reconstruction? Something close to bolt in. Please explain in terms that someone brand new would understand so I can learn as I go. I appreciate any response unless it is smart ***. Thanks alot
First things first. You need a really thorough evaluation by someone that knows what they are doing and who won't be selling you something. Don't go looking to change parts that don't need it. That trans and rear-end are good parts, ***uming decent condition. Change the fluids and drive them to ***ess their condition. Reseal if necessary. My wife is driving her '62 Falcon daily with the original running gear. Other than a few drips on the driveway, they work great. I run 70 mph on the highway, no issue.
Welcome, I reccomend you do a introduction. As far as the rear end you can change the rear end gear ratio, (if you had to) its not too difficult on that era of GM car, its similar to the Ford 8 and 9 inch rear ends where the third member comes out from the front. As far as the trans goes, I dont know what to tell you, besides if you wanted to swap to an automatic a 2spd powerglide should be a direct bolt on if its a 6cyl motor of the same era. Since you want a reliable cruiser and not concerned about power then I would just leave the 6 cyl in there.
The best way to spend more money than you need to is to start changing things that don't need to be changed. They came with a good combo from the factory. If speed isn't an issue use what you have and make it right. When you want to go fast then start thinking new drivetrain. Good luck!
Jreal - You'll get a much better response here if you do an introduction first, as is suggested when you signed up. For a dependable daily driver, the original 6-cyl/3-spd O.D. should be perfect. It'll take some time to replace all the little items (light bulbs, wheel cylinders, etc) that need replaced, but about the time you get into the habit of stopping by the parts store on your way home every day, you'll be done with all that. Next thing you know, the leaks are clearing up and all you have to put in is gas and not much of that, either. Enjoy your new ride and the insight that comes from looking at life through a 50+ year old windshield...
I agree with what's been said. The original '57 rear end is an excellent piece, in fact, it is still a popular swap into earlier cars, so you won't want to change it. There are gear sets available if you want to change ratios. But with the 3 speed overdrive, you probably won't need to change gearing. The O/D setup is much better in my opinion than the powerglide, my 6 cyl '57 has a powerglide and I would much prefer the stick/OD that you have. If you are looking to make a reliable driver out of this car, focus on other things. My car needed some steering components (and still needs new A-arm bushings). I put in all new brake parts and I swapped the original master for a '68 Chevelle drum/drum non-power unit, to gain dual chamber for safety. It bolted right in. I also put in a brand new gas tank and sending unit to avoid fuel problems, my old tank was leaky and new ones are cheap. A new fuel pump, water pump, and a carb rebuild by a competent rebuilder are also excellent ideas as those items tend to be shot after sitting for long periods. Also, nice new radial tires make a car ride much nicer. If the car has been sitting for 7 years, there's a good possibility that the tires are flat spotted or dry rotten. It's things like that you should be focusing on, you don't need a trans or rearend swap.
My dad told me several times the very thing that OSchlab is telling you. Now 50 years later I understand what he was telling me..............Listen............
Probably some of the wisest words written on here by an fng. The only possible reason I could see for changing anything in the drivetrain at the current time is if it is broken or worn out or perhaps if one of you just flat cannot drive a stick and is is not interested in learning. As Scotty said, change all of the fluids Meaning oil change, trans gear oil and rear end gear oil. Replace the belts and hoses Give it a good tuneup I would either rebuild or replace the wheel cylinders and master cylinder before I started driving it and redo the brakes. Check out the suspension or have it checked and make sure that the shocks are in good shape. Install a decent set of seat belts if it doesn't have them. That 235/ three speed overdrive combination is a pretty good all around setup that should get somewhat decent gas mileage and be able to cruise at road speeds with the overdrive. The whole setup is simple to repair and keep up. <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
wow, I really appreciate all the response. I will get to into introducing myself. I have alot to learn, and I think I will take the advice and keep what have and focus on other things like brakes. I am just excited and ready to go and thinking ahead a little.
As everyone else has said, the stock running gear is fine for cruising. I've got a 54 Ford with a six and od. She'll run at seventy on the highway and get 20+ mpg doing it. Not bad for an old car. You may not win any races but that is not the intention. Go to the Friday Art Show threads and look at some of the very earliest ones. 40Studedude had a 57 chev with a six way back when and he's got some good writing posted up.
Nobody here is going to like this, but I feel the questions has not really been answered. This is a 61 year old car. It will NEVER be as reliable as whatever else you may have driven. It never was. The reason service stations stopped offering service is that the cars stopped needing so much service. This happened much after the 55 Chevy had been and gone. For instance: this car need regular service to the brakes, as they do not self-adjust. Figure every 1,000 to 2,000 miles. Oil changes are a must, and at 3,000 miles, no more. You see, there is either no oil filter, or a simple byp*** filter, neither of which work very well. Regular lubrication of all ch***is points must be done every 1,000 to 2,000 miles. And on and on. It can be a cool car, but as a daily, I, for myself (75 miles every day, just for work, for me) will p***. Cosmo
Keep the 6. Do a search on here for t-5 trans swap. There is a lot of great info about it. Good luck!
Yeah, that is a pipe dream right there.....unless you are willing to do the necessary maintenance. Like cosmo says, cars have come a long ways in the last several decades.
Keep it tuned up, put some disc brakes on the front and seat belts. Older cars require more maintenance, so you need to keep up with it. Grease it and pack the wheel bearings. Have fun.
I had a 54 210 post with an inline 6 and 3 speed on the column. I believe they were similar in the later tri 5 cars. The stock setup ran very well for the time period of the car the only thing I found to be a problem on mine was that the joints for the 3 spd would also get stuck shifting into second...always had to mess with the linkage to get it free.. Dealt with that for about 8 months or so. I ended up tearing it down and put a mustang II front end with modern discs and a 350/350TH in the car and that car became about the most reliable thing have ever driven. I would leave it as is and like some others have said drive it see what leaks or makes noises and fix only what needs to be fixed, Start doin too much and you get in over your head real fast.
Why thanks you for the compliment Mr48. I guess just becuase you have to be a fng dont mean you gotta be an idiot. Omar
I wouldn't do anything to it except change the fluids,tune up and check the brakes.I have a 56 210 with all original running gear, a 235 and 3 speed,non overdrive.I did change the fluids and went through the brakes.It runs fine this way.I haven't had any problems with it in the 13 years I owned it.
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