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Thread: original 57 corvette engine

  1. #1
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    original 57 corvette engine

    I have a '57 chevy 283 corvette engine. I took it out of my '57 Belair in 1982. Its been in my basement. block #3731548, head #s 3731539 date code on both G297. I bought the car from a friends brother in 71 and these are the specs he wrote down. Bored .060", 10.1 pop-up short skirt notched pistons, heads milled .030", corvette 7 fin valve covers (offset bolt pattern). The stock 539 heads were 1.72, these heads were reworked with triple springs, triple angle valve job, nylon seals, 1.94. The cam is 250hp. Cam and crank are polished. prior to me buying the Belair in 71, the engine had a factory fuel injection on it. He took it off due to all the headaches' with it and put a 4 barrel intake and carb on. The engine has a semi high rise aluminum intake on it, no carb. The engine ran great There are only approx. 10-15k on the engine. I had a '64 vette at the same time and the '57 did not get used much. The car needed too much work, that's why I pulled the engine. I planned to put the engine in another '57. Never happened. I am asking 6k or best offer. Bob Skeebum@optonline.net

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    I hope this is not the beginning of these type of post.

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    Registered Member BamaNomad's Avatar
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    If it's a 'special Corvette engine', then you need to post the stamping from the front pad in addition to the casting numbers and date from all the parts you're selling. Without the stamping which demonstrates what it came from, then it's just a modified 283 engine...

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    57corvette engine

    Quote Originally Posted by BamaNomad View Post
    If it's a 'special Corvette engine', then you need to post the stamping from the front pad in addition to the casting numbers and date from all the parts you're selling. Without the stamping which demonstrates what it came from, then it's just a modified 283 engine...

    BamaNomad. Thank you for your input The block is 3731548 GM 7, heads 3731539, date code G297, Gm 1, Gm2. Pad #F730FC. I cannot find what the FC represents I appreciate your input. This 283 might not be a '57 vette engine. All my data said it was. Like you said, it might just be a modified 283. Any help is appreciated. Thank you. Bob
    Last edited by 57vetteengine; 10-22-2020 at 05:18 PM. Reason: corrected pad number

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    Too be worth big bucks it has to be a big horse Vette motor, otherwise its just another 283

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    Registered Member BamaNomad's Avatar
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    To the OP:

    Your engine is a 1957 model 283 with 4 bbl which was placed in a passenger car with a PowerGlide transmission originally (FC code). The 539 casting heads were correct on the passenger car 4 bbl engine (and would have been correct on a 283 hp fuel injected engine also), but based on the dates of engine assembly (0730) meaning July 30, and the 539 heads casting date (G29) which is July 29, I would assume those heads were originally installed on that block at the Flint engine plant.

    Corvette 283's in 1957 all were stamped with E* (E was the first letter in the stamping suffix on all), so your engine was not factory installed in a Corvette.

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    BamaNomad, Thank you for the info. It took awhile but I finally found what the FC stood for. Like you said, just another modified 283. Appreciate your time. Stay safe.

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    A 1957 283 will only bolt in 55-57 car or 55-59 light truck as it does not have provisions for side motor mounts that came out in 1958 cars. maybe a Vette to 62 not sure on that one.

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    Registered Member BamaNomad's Avatar
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    Reply to MarkM's post: First gen corvettes (thru 1962) used an engine mounting plate on the front (which mounted under the water pump) ... so side mounts were not necessary or used (although the later year '58-62 engines did have the facility for them).

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    Thanks Bama for the clarification, its as I thought 57 283s are a one year block with limited interchange.

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