Looking at Bucket List '57

[Michael J.]

So, I am looking at a '57 FI, the engine stamping is F092IEK with a 3731548 casting number. I am no '57 FI expert, does this look OK?

[John R.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Michael, according to the Corvette Birthday book the last 1957 vette rolled off the assembly line on or around Sept 6, so the Sept 21 assembly date does not appear to be correct. The EK is not a suffix for 1957, but FK is and translates to 250 hsp FI with powerglide. The block casting is correct for 1957. Hope this helps.

[Gary C.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Mike,

FK is Corvette 250HP FI 4360 unit, Powerglide and 889 distributor. EK is passenger car FI 4360 unit 283 HP with 889 distributor.

What's the block cast date, what are the head symbol, part number and cast date?

Gary
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[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Thanks very much guys, so this is a '57 BelAir FI block. Also, did the BelAir have the same FI unit as the Corvette in '57? Thanks.

[Gary C.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Mike,

That early would be a 4360 FI unit, same as on an early '57. Air cleaner's not the same.

Questions:
1) What are the heads part number
2) Heads casting date
3) Block cast date
4) What is the transmission
5) What does the throttle rod (engine side) look like

Gary
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[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Thanks, but I think since the block is not a Corvette block, I should probably pass on this one and keep looking. I appreciate the info, I need to learn more about FI Corvettes and you guys are the experts.

[Gary C.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Mike,

Depends on the price and what else is or is not there.

Pretty tough to find a '57 fuelie with an original motor. Few and far between.

Gary
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[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

I know that's right, tougher than a '67 L71
But I would at least like to start with one that has a correct "restoration" engine. Cheers, I may be back on this.

[James G.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

I have a rear 1959 BEL AIR fuel injected passenger car at http://www.vettefinderjim.com/vettef...FI_IMPALA.html

57 Chevy FI cars are also very rare

[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

I have a rear 1959 BEL AIR fuel injected passenger car at http://www.vettefinderjim.com/vettef...FI_IMPALA.html

57 Chevy FI cars are also very rare

Wow! Now that '59 is rare, what a neat car, and I guess maybe they made fewer FI '57 BelAirs than FI '57 Corvettes?

[Rod K.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Michael, according to the Corvette Birthday book the last 1957 vette rolled off the assembly line on or around Sept 6, so the Sept 21 assembly date does not appear to be correct. The EK is not a suffix for 1957, but FK is and translates to 250 hsp FI with powerglide. The block casting is correct for 1957. Hope this helps.

Couldn't the F092IEK be a Sept 21 '56 date? What's the VIN of the car, casting date, etc?

[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Couldn't the F092IEK be a Sept 21 '56 date? What's the VIN of the car, casting date, etc?

Thanks Ron, the alleged built date of the car was Jan. '57. But since the engine in it is not a Corvette engine, I am just not interested in it anyway at this point.

[John R.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Rod, yes it could be Sept 21, 1956 and I overlooked that. Birthday book says the first day of production in 1956 for 1957 vettes was Sept 21, 1956, ironically! Approximately 4 cars assembled that day.

But it is still appears to be a passenger car block. One that I am sure a few Belair or Impala folks would not mind having!

[Mike M.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

about 1000 57chevy pass cas were sold with FI, about the same # of 57 corvettes with rochester units. i have a restored, orignal engined, 57 chevy 210 2 door sedan, black, 250 hp 3 speed. with original drivetrain that i restored about 10 years ago. there are many items on an original 57 pass ri car that allow one to determine its originaly being a fi car. mike

[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

about 1000 57chevy pass cas were sold with FI, about the same # of 57 corvettes with rochester units. i have a restored, orignal engined, 57 chevy 210 2 door sedan, black, 250 hp 3 speed. with original drivetrain that i restored about 10 years ago. there are many items on an original 57 pass ri car that allow one to determine its originaly being a fi car. mike

Wow, a 210? Almost a "Black Widow" type 150. That had to be very rare. Interesting that the number of FI passenger cars was about the same as Corvettes that year. I guess the passenger cars had Saginaw 3 speeds?