'59 tachometer sign of 270HP or 290 HP car

[Curt B.]

Hi!

I am a new member (March '06) and am looking for a 1958 thru 1960 Vette. I looked at a '59 that I may purchase, and had a question on if one can tell what the 'original' horsepower rating on the car would be.

This car does NOT have the original engine but does have the original 4 speed transmission. I purchased the 4th edition of the NCRS 1958-60 Corvette tech and info manual/judging guide from the club which is full of great information.

On page #14, the tachometers are shown. The tach in this car shows the redline area from 6000-6500 rpm. This matches the one in the tech book as being a 270 HP car (2-4BBLs) or a 290 HP car (FI). Without the car having the original engine, original window sticker, or other documentation, is it somehow possible to tell which engine version (270HP or 290HP) it originally had? Car has been painted and there is no 'fuel injected' emblem on the front fenders (not that this could not be added later). Thanks. Curt

[William C.]

Re: '59 tachometer sign of 270HP or 290 HP car

Yes, the FI car has a distributor driven tach, the 270 has a tach drive off the generator. On the back of the tach is an ink stamp that will indicate "reads cable speed" or "reads 2X cable speed" I believe the Distributor drive indicates the 2X reading and the Generator drive setup (270 hp) reads at cable speed, but I'm sure someone will correct me it I have it backwards. The part number which may also be ink stamped is 1548804 for the FI tach, and 1548838 for the 270 hp version. On a '59 there are a lot of other signs to look for like the mounting reinforcements for the FI air cleaner on the drivers inner fender, mouns for the support straps for the air inlet hose, it goes on...

[Curt B.]

Re: '59 tachometer sign of 270HP or 290 HP car

Wow, Bill, I had no idea that those tell-tale signs could determine if the '59 was either a 270 HP or 290 HP car. I will check out those excellent points that you mentioned. Thanks so much for the info as I really appreciate it. I'm really liking the club in my short 2 months of being a member, as your info was worth the membership fee! Thanks again. Curt Betters

[William C.]

Re: '59 tachometer sign of 270HP or 290 HP car

Also, look at the tach cable routing, I'm not 100% familiar with a '59, but I know that the tach for the FI comes thru the center of the firewall, and the tach cable for the Distributor drive setup goes thru at another location, it will be shown in the assembly manual if you have one of those.

[Curt B.]

Re: '59 tachometer sign of 270HP or 290 HP car

Thanks twice, Bill! I will check the cable routing out as you described. Either way, the car being a 270 or 290 HP car is a big plus. Unfortunately I don't have the assembly manual, only the NCRS tech manual. Since I plan on buying a '58-'60, I guess I should get that assembly manual! Thanks once again.

Curt Betters

[William C.]

Re: '59 tachometer sign of 270HP or 290 HP car

It's really a LOT easier to start with the drivers side inner fender and look for the reinforcements or at least the holes from when they were there to see it it is an FI car, also look at the air inlet blockoff plate at the radiator support, the FI 290 hp car did not use the blockoff plate and there shoul be no sign of scres ever being in the holes. Again, the assembly manual shows them, or send me an email off the board and I;ll try to send you a scan of the area idf you are unsure of what I am describing.