History for sale...

[mechmike0034]

http://bham.craigslist.org/pts/248822458.html

http://b.im.craigslist.org/Fg/Di/M1f60kTDL2ml2eHwdhaGMnpoOu74.jpg

283 cubic inches, 245 HP (huge for this day and time). Chevy also built a 270 HP version with a solid lifter cam and a 283 HP version with Rochester mechanical fuel injection that year.

No Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) in 1957 - the black pipe/elbow that exits the back of the block next to the distributor and runs down the passenger side of the back of the motor is called a road draft tube.

As the car moves, the draft created at the end of the tube (like a chimney, but pointed down) pulls the crankcase fumes out of the engine into the atmosphere.

California required that these engines be retrofitted with a closed PCV system in the early '60s.

Still, in '57 this was hot stuff. It will bring big bucks today, maybe $10K from the right individual if the date codes are as correct as the ad says.

[DarkFury]

Interesting find...

But I guess you have to be a true automotive history buff to appreciate it fully. :D

[mechmike0034]

Interesting find...

But I guess you have to be a true automotive history buff to appreciate it fully. :D

Guilty as charged, sir... I'd buy it just to put it on a stand in my living room.

[scopescanner]

Hi Mike J,

My Dad had a 2 door '57 Bel Air with a Continental Kit. He installed onto that motor a Luberfiner. I was always wondering what that big 'ol bomb was on the inner fender well. :)

If you look at pictures taken in the '50's of cars on the road you'll typically see a line running parallel to the line painted on the road. I'm pretty sure that's from all the cars having Road Draft tubes. In the 60's I installed a closed PCV system on my Dad's '57 Chevy. To close off the road draft tube, the instructions had us place the end of the tube in a vise to crimp the system closed.

Broke my heart when my Dad sold the car because of insurance concerns.

[johnnymk]

I have a '57 Chevy with a 283 in it. But in a few years, I am planning on installing a 327, which is my favorite engine, possibly with late model fuel injection.

I may be wrong, but I don't think I could big bucks for the 283.

[mechmike0034]

I may be wrong, but I don't think I could get big bucks for the 283.

Depends on the casting numbers, and what kind of shape the block's in. It amazes me what some of this stuff brings dollar-wise to the right person.

[mechmike0034]

Hi Mike J,

My Dad had a 2 door '57 Bel Air with a Continental Kit. He installed onto that motor a Luberfiner. I was always wondering what that big 'ol bomb was on the inner fender well. :)

If you look at pictures taken in the '50's of cars on the road you'll typically see a line running parallel to the line painted on the road. I'm pretty sure that's from all the cars having Road Draft tubes. In the 60's I installed a closed PCV system on my Dad's '57 Chevy. To close off the road draft tube, the instructions had us place the end of the tube in a vise to crimp the system closed.

Broke my heart when my Dad sold the car because of insurance concerns.

They're still in business: http://www.luberfiner.com/

I'd love to have a '57. I had two friends in high school in the late '70s with shoebox Chevys - a '57 Belair hardtop with a 327 'Vette engine and M22 four-speed, and a '55 Belair hardtop with a later 350 and M22. They were the two to beat on Saturday night.

[thresher]

I have a 283 in my hot rod (with 327 heads) and it's a great motor! I have been looking for a hotter motor not because the motor needs replacing, but because I would like more umph on the bottom end. Still, my combo (283, 327 heads, weber carb and open headers) does pretty well for an old thrash combo.
Thresh