55 engine early

[Roy B.]

A 55 early engine , the Vett sat for over 30 years , I took the pic. Off some sight I found. %99 original parts. Few things shown is the early Radiator shrouding top piece has no cut out at the top radiator hose which is correct for early 55 , when it changed to have a cut out ? Not sure of the #.
Also early is the straight dash throttle arm, when it changed ? Around #400? Then they were curved to help clear the plug wires.
It also shown's the trans. And gas rods being bent original for all 55's. PG. Or 3 speed.
Heater shut off having finger pads ,not flat like replacements.

[Brett H.]

Re: 55 engine early

What a great piece of reference material Roy. This is how we like to find them. Theyr'e only original once!!
Thanks for sharing
Brett

[Chuck R.]

Re: 55 engine early

I just love seeing clean and "un-cluttered" engine bays.

Just another testiment as to how simple and straight forward things used to be back in the day.

Thanks for the pics Roy,

Chuck

[John H.]

Re: 55 engine early

Here's a photo taken on the Flint V-8 shipping dock of early '55 passenger car V-8's; note the "log" exhaust manifolds and no oil filter provision in the block.

[Mike E.]

Re: 55 engine early

Roy--
That's the best thing you've posted in a long time!!!! Outstanding!!

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 engine early "John"

I know I'm looking at a CAR engine and every part seen on the engine is painted , so does the JM say those parts are also painted engine color on Corvette 55.?
Generator brace,and support and also the Dist . showing a litte too

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 engine early "mike"

Roy--
That's the best thing you've posted in a long time!!!! Outstanding!!

LONG TIME?? OH! I for got you dont have a 55 or do you?
Any way Thanks

[Bert L.]

Re: 55 engine early "mike"

Very impressive Roy do please keep them coming!

Best regards to all,
Bert (1960 #1335)

[KEN BUTCHER]

Re: 55 engine early

Hey John, how come there is no oil-filler neck on the intake?

Ken.

[John H.]

Re: 55 engine early

Ken -

The oil fill tube was installed on the engine dress line at the car assembly plant.

[John H.]

Re: 55 engine early "John"

Roy -

I don't have a '55 JG, but I know the Fourth Edition '56-'57 JG is wrong (haven't seen the newer Fifth Edition) in describing the long generator brace as engine color; the installation of the generator brace on Corvette engine assemblies was moved from Flint V-8 to St. Louis on 1955 "FG" engines in early April, 1955, and was installed at St. Louis on ALL 1955 "GR" engines, and should be semi-gloss black, NOT engine color.

If you'll look at the photo I posted above of passenger car engines, you'll see the long generator brace pivoted over the top of the engine toward the passenger side for shipping rack clearance. The Corvette engine had the front motormount bracket with the slot in it for the brace, and the brace couldn't be pivoted over for clearance - it stuck up in the air, and got mangled by the engine rack above it - that's why it was re-allocated to St. Louis for installation on Corvette engines. This is shown very clearly on the detailed Chevrolet Engineering Bill of Material issued to Flint V-8 for the 1955 V-8 engine assemblies.