1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

Good day guys.
I am building a 1957 Chevy 3100. Just got it running. Added tail lights etc, now I need to know what engine I have, the only numbers I can find are
F921D stamped and a brass tag.
See attached.
I its a V8 just not sure if 265 or 283, any ideas?

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

'57's were 283's IF it's original.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

Actually, '57 trucks from 3100 to 4000 series came with the Trademaster 265. You didn't get the Super Taskmaster 283 until you got to the 5000 series.

An original truck engine should have gray paint. The ID numbers on the RF pad do not look quite right to me for an OE block. F could indicate Flint assembly, while ID could indicate a special high performance 327 CID, 1966 vintage, with 4bbl carb from a passenger car. You could use info from this thread to help look at casting numbers and date codes. I love these mysteries so if you figure it out, please post a followup.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

This might help get you started. Chevy block code deciphering

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html

1st letter is plant...so Flint (flint a V in later years I think)

I didn't spend time figuring the rest but great link

speedway.com had some info too but I think the above was more complete

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

"ID" shows up as a 1966 327. Look at the date code behind the driver head on the block. Last number is the year.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

Thank OrrieG and other!
I apologize up front for long post, but wanted to give you a little background on the 57. This was bought new by one of my uncles, pasted down and used on the farm until 74, when it back my daily transport to High School. In 76, while on the way home, it caught on fire, which I put out with the still present brass fire ex mounted under the hood. So, long story short, it was repaired, went back on the farm until about 10 years ago, went the LAST uncle got it and out it in a barn to rot. I begged but never got it, until he pasted at which time, brakes, lines, shoes, freeze plugs. you name it...... anyway, finally got her back on the road this summer and developed an exhaust leak, so, lets put on headers, after my third set, I FINALLY got one that fits. The old exhaust looks like someone had pieced if back together ( I will send pic next week, out of town till Tuesday) sooooo it makes sense that the motor was changed, and I seem to remember someone saying they put a 327 in it, but by that time I had a 68 chevelle SS so....forgot about old blue.... I will check the number on the block as you suggested when I get home. I still have many questions about getting this old gal back in form, so hope you guys dont mind me asking.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

Ask away! It's a great story. Any chance the original engine might be hanging around the farm? It may not be worth rebuilding but it can be cool to say you have it and it can add value to the truck if you're not planning to modify it.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

OK, sense I can for the moment, have a 1966 327. I want to replace the existing 2 barrell with a 4. Any suggestions?
Nothing really wild and crazy, YET

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

if you plan to remove valve covers , the casting number in the middle tells alot about the engine , many are specific to certain engines , most 327 heads will not work on small bore 265 engines,, edelbrock preformer manifold and 600 to 650 carb works well on stock type engines

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

1. Stock cast iron 4bbl manifold, will come in Rochester pattern or Q-jet pattern. 2. Aftermarket aluminum manifold with Holley, q-jet, Edlebrock carb. I have had good luck with Holleys on the track, not so good over time as a street carb, maybe its just me but the idle circuits get messed up. I have had good luck with Q-jets, drives and get milage like a two barrel around town, put big secondaries when you want them, but a lot of folks do not like them. The Edlebrock carbs I have had seem to do ok for a few years then start acting up like the Holleys did. I haven't ran a Rochester WCFB or AFB since the 70's.

Does the manifold you have now have the oil fill tube in the front or valve cover oil fill? Not a big deal, you will just need to factor in a pair of new valve covers if you get a newer manifold without the fill if you engine has it now.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

OrrieG,
The current intake has the oil filler, the radiator hose and the heater hose coming out the front. See pic below.
I would like to just use a standard old cast intake with a mild Rochester, noting that I currently have a mechanical fuel pump, thinking I would have to go to electric?
Having said all that, where is a good source for parts like this with an already rebuilt carb?

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

I am going to blurt out I have a thirsty Eddelbrock 4bbl on my 350 and it has a stock mechanical fuel pump.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

I would try and source a carb from a local guru. There are plenty of OTC carbs that are junk. Really junk. I still get calls to do carb rebuilds once in a while and it's generally after someone has bought a reman part that doesn't work correctly. When you tear the carb apart you'll find a million issues that will prevent the carb from ever working correctly. Wrong idle air and fuel restrictions, wrong orifice diameters, unlabeled rods and jets, mismatched and remachined base plates, bodies, and air horns, mismatched and unlabelled power valves are all common issues.

I like to buy used stock carburetors and have them rebuilt. I prefer Q-jets but they are more complicated to set up. Holley and Edelbrock carbs are popular and they can be purchased new. If you can still get an Edelbrock spreadbore carburetor for a spreadbore manifold, those weren't too bad.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

I can fix you up with a good Q-jet for a very friendly price. you'll need to think about the changeover. you need a breather and a place to put oil in. you also need a PCV, Does it have one now? There's probably some kind of a breather pipe or PCV coming off the block right next to the distributor. can you get a pic of that area? You might be able to find an old Q-jet manifold that has an oil fill tube like is there now.

I definitely would not go to an electric pump. There's hardly anything more likely to leave you parked on the side of the road except one of the cheap china junk fake HEIs that sell on ebay for $50. If you're not putting a lot of miles on it you can leave the points distributor in.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

where is the brass tag? it's probably a rebuilt engine done at some rebuild factory if it has a brass tag. It looks like a stock 283 to me. has power pack heads, may have originally been a 4-bbl engine. but none of that means anything if it went through a rebuild factory. What's on the tag? usually they give the overbore size and the crank journal undersize, maybe the name of the rebuilder.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

There are still quite a few of those which have an exhaust crossover under the front of the carb. I've plugged the ports on both sides of the crossover with some success. Today's fuel isn't the same as when those manifolds are new and heating the carb can result in poor driveability.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/PBsAAO...qK3/s-l500.jpg

The pump on the engine above looks like an early AC pump or Airtex clone. At one time you could buy the parts needed to rebuild them. I'd go ahead and rebuild with components that will play well with ethanol. Some of the older rubber components will not tolerate alcohol as well.
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lo4AAO...UNj/s-l500.jpg


Also, I said this previously I'm not sure how I messed that one up. I usually recommend people buy used stock carbs and have them rebuilt. I rebuild my own when it's needed for my vehicles.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

I would figure out what displacement I had before changing to a 4bbl. I think 600-650 cfm is a bit much for under 300 cu. in. I'm big on the quadrajets, but have an air gap square bore intake on the 327 I have built for 325-350 HP. I have a 570cfm street Demon to use on that. I roughly go by 2 cfm per cubic inch. I would use a stock manifold. You could even find an old square bore that GM used

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

OK THANKS GUYS. I am in contact with a local "Vega: guy. He builds old stuff, like a 327 in a Vega. He has old parts and stuff, so will update when done.
Also, just made the conversion from Generator to Alternator, GREAT improvement, will send pics next week for sure.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

the number stamped on the block is sometimes an invoice number or work order number from an engine rebuilder. especially if it looks like they are a little out of whack like they stamped each number individually. just info.
I am also of the school where too big is too much for a smaller street engine. just my opinion though.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

Some of the older small blocks had a vent on the back of the block, in the lifter valley area drivers side , most if not all , had the oil fill up by the thermostat housing

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

I have a Rochester 4 bbl that has never been rebuilt. It has sat in my storage shed for about 35 years. I would bet the throttle shaft bushings and all the linkage is perfect.
do not have the manifold though.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

OK, its been awhile. Got every thing going, new brakes, tires, lights, wiring, changed from generator to alternator, added header and purple hornie pipes, etc etc.
Now I want to work on the looks.
Wider tries and new wheels. Any suggestion on this?
Jim

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

Look at the back of the block and see if it has a breather pipe coming off the back of the engine. They eliminated that pipe in 63 when they had to start putting pcv valves on engines for smog.
If it were me,
I would put early corvette rocker covers on it, use the later oil breather tube on the front of the engine that has the pcv valve hole on the side of the tube, and use an aluminum Edelbrock or Weiand manifold.
Paint the block and heads with some orange paint, and clean up the fenders and firewall, clamp the wires correctly, and run a decent fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb, maybe aircraft stainless hose and red and blue fittings.
Top it off with a chrome K&N 4" tall air filter.

a pic of the truck would help people decide what advice to give.

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

IIRC there were 2 327's, small and large journal. Small will have the port on the top of the block where a pcv is used. This is similar to 265 and early 283 but they used road draft tubes. Large journals do not have this port and look like 350's.

Pic of the port

Re: 1957 Chevy 3100 V8-265?
 

Good Pre-Election day!
It been a long time and a lot of work, but the ole 57 is now street worthy.
I have order a seal kit, redoing the wooden bed etc. so starting on the "looks" part of the rebuild.
A couple of questions:
I have the original hood and side emblems, as you can see. Not too pitted, just faded.
I am trying to decide, but new reproduction or have these rebuilt?
If rebuilt, any idea who would do this?
Second, tires and wheels, as you can see, the ones on it now are just to get in back on the street. I would like to go wide, but not sure on the turning radius.
Any help?