1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

[Douglas C.]

Hi, working on a 58 low HP Fuelie. In putting in the distributor I can see due to the oil line the base has to be set about where the line allows. I there a specific top portion setting when dropping it in, meaning specific location to allow for the vacuum line?

The air cleaner box, is it semi gloss or a certain degree of gloss?

And the exhaust manifolds, trying to be correct as well as preserve the finish as the car will driven in nice weather. I was thinking of getting the Jet Hot cast finish.

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks, Doug

[Dan H.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Hi Doug, believe the distributor sits on top of a spacer which has a locator pin to position the distributor correctly for the lines etc. Timing is set by loosening the top part and rotating it as required.
Dan

[Don H.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Douglas, The early units (57-?) had a raised portion of the adapter plate (intake). Later years used a spacer, all of which (early and later years) are "pinned" to mount the distributor in a pre-designated position because of the FI fuel pump drive. I am not sure what year this changed but I know others on this board can tell you. Since you have a low HP unit I assume you have a 914 distributor with vacuum advance (all FI distributors have a collar above the pinned portion to adjust the timing). The position of the vacuum advance can be changed by what gear you interface with the cam shaft - in other words where you put it in. The best method is to put the engine at TDC and the distributor is at the #1 cylinder. Good luck, Don H.

[Dan H.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Should be a 915 distributor, no tach drive, just HP pump drive cable.

[Ian G.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

The FI air cleaner can should be gloss black like the other AC division stuff... The manifolds for NCRS correctness should have at least some engine chevy orange overspray. Same with the bellhousing. For my part, based on the old pictures I've seen, believe they were completely covered; and thats how I plan to do mine. I think folks just like them to be mostly cast iron for looks and so they restore them to the "letter".

I found some high temp clear for the base and will put engine spray over that. That way when the orange burns through, the clear should show the iron well, not brown rusty iron exposed. I think most judges will discern the cast spray you were thinking of putting on them and deduct accordingly. Not sure how my idea would judge either though.

[Douglas C.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Douglas, The early units (57-?) had a raised portion of the adapter plate (intake). Later years used a spacer, all of which (early and later years) are "pinned" to mount the distributor in a pre-designated position because of the FI fuel pump drive. I am not sure what year this changed but I know others on this board can tell you. Since you have a low HP unit I assume you have a 914 distributor with vacuum advance (all FI distributors have a collar above the pinned portion to adjust the timing). The position of the vacuum advance can be changed by what gear you interface with the cam shaft - in other words where you put it in. The best method is to put the engine at TDC and the distributor is at the #1 cylinder. Good luck, Don H.

Hi Don. I have the 914 distributor (low HP), and that distributor has a notch on the base. The intake has a pin. So I assume the distributor base notch falls on the intake pin. Now, is there any type spacer or just a paper gasket for the base to the intake?

Tks. Doug

[Douglas C.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Hi Don. I have the 914 distributor (low HP), and that distributor has a notch on the base. The intake has a pin. So I assume the distributor base notch falls on the intake pin. Now, is there any type spacer or just a paper gasket for the base to the intake?

Tks. Doug

Whoops, I mean 915 distributor.

[John D.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Doug, You should have a '947 baseplate with built in spacer as mentioned. Distributor just doesn't drop in. Must be installed using the same idea as a carb distributor. To a point. To advance and retard the distributor unloosen the cadmium plated clamp that holds the two halves of the distributor together. You didn't say what transmission you have so I assume it's not an automatic. Therefore you need a one piece line with a lot of wild bends on it to connect the distributor to a special fitting on the air meter. this is a rigid line.
Some might think you need a short stubby think of 3/16" brake line that screws into the hex shaped vacuum advance. Then a rubber hose going over to the air meter and maybe the plenum. Well this would be incorrect for you car unless you have an automatic. If you do look in the Aims and it shows this set up. Uses a T fitting in the rubber hose so you can supply vacuum to the tranny.
10-12 years ago or so at Corvette Carlisle Don Baker and I looked at an original '59 LHP Corvette with a four speed. He had the original one piece steel line as mentioned above.
Yes these is paper gasket with a notch in it.
The only original pic I have seen of a low HP 58 to 61 is in Noland Adams old book. John D

[Don H.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Doug, Sorry, I should not post late at night. It should be a 915 distributor (thanks, Dan) - the other info was correct. John will always give you the correct final answer. Don H.

[Dan H.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

John, found some of my old 58 to 60 Team Leader notes, have a picture of an unrestored 60 with a 915 dist. and a fitting on left rear dog house with a rubber hose running to the 90 degree bent short section of tubing on the VAC, it is a four speed car. My old Peterson Publishing pictures of 4 early 58's shows a steel thin line going to the rear of the air meter on a 250 hp car. Don't have a 59 in my scrapbook though.
Dan

[Arthur T.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

"Same with the bellhousing. "

The original bellhousing on my '58 250 hp car had evidence of paint all over it. It had clearly been factory painted engine orange and not just over sprayed.

[John D.]

Re: 1958 250 HP Fuelie, a few questions.

Tough thread to follow here guys. Last response was July 25th. Then someone put a note in the center of an old thread.