correct cylinder heads

[David J.]

I NEED HELP !!

I am looking at an original 1957 fuel injected three speed car that is owned by the original purchaser. The cylinder heads do not have the double humps cased in the front of the heads. The heads have a box with a pyramid point. I don't have any pictures right now. Didn't all the fuelie cars come with fuel injection heads?

[Duke W.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

The so-called "fuel injection" heads with the double camel hump casting symbol did not appear until 1961.

I think the casting symbol you describe is correct, but is it a hydraulic lifter cam 250 HP or a Duntov mechanical lifter cam 283 HP. Tell us the tachometer redline and does it idle smooth at 500 or a lopey at 800-900?

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

David-----

If you find a 1957 Corvette with heads that have the "double hump" casting symbol on the ends, then you'll know one thing, for sure, about it-----the heads are not original to the car. Those heads did not appear until 1960.

1957 Corvettes with 283/283 FI engines used heads GM #3731539 with the casting symbol you described. Once-upon-a-time, these were known as "Power-Pack" heads.

[David J.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

Thanks Duke for the info. I will look at the tach and see what the engine idle is like tomorrow.

[David J.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

Thanks Joe for the info. As always you and Duke have great information. Thanks again.
David

[Verle R.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

David,

A 57 Corvette does not have a red line on the tachometer so that will not help you.

As a start, ask the present owner which engine it is, ask him if it has ever been apart and what was done, look in the glove box for the FI manual. Get the numbers off the FI unit and post them here.

The heads you describe indicate a 283 HP engine. 245 HP heads have a rectangle with a single tower, not a pyramid.

Verle

[Mike M.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

would add that a 250 hp FI head would also be a single tower on the rectange as verle described for a 245 hp engine. as a matter of fact , ALL 57 engines, except the 283 hp engine, had the single tower head. the 283 hp head was a triangle on the rectangle. mike

[Joseph T.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

Check the engine pad for an EL suffix, check the back of the tach to read registers twice cable speed, check the throttle rod to be round not flat. Does it have an fI unit and if so what is the model # and serial #, Remove a valve cover and check to see if the pyramid head is a 539 casting and check the casting date which should end in 6 or 7. Check the right side exhaust manifold for no choke tube hole and should have heat riser spacer, what is the distributor model# and date. 889, 905, 906 or 908...etc..

Good luck and don't hesitate. Trust but verify! Ask for family pictures and any paper document, invoice, repair bill, title, registration, license plate, tag, owners pin, owners card, Corvette News magazines etc..

Write your questions down so you don't forget in the excitement...when looking at the car and talking to the owner.

If you buy the car...ask the owner to write you a letter of documentation and have it notarized. Or write it yourself to make it easy for the owner to sign. Age comes into play...for original owners of a 57.

Is the wonder bar radio there or a radio delete plate, does it have an open rear end or posi..839 vs 833...what is the rear end ratio stamp on the passenger side of the pumpkin. Does it have big brakes, finned drums, fast steering adaptor, traction bars, heavy duty springs, brake scoops..so much to look for.

Lets us know what you find.

Joe Trybulec
479-435-1855

[Mike G.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

539 heads were also available on passenger cars with power pack option. also available over the counter. thousands were sold over the counter to drag racers. sounds like a cool car. if the fi unit is not on the car some of the easy things to check---
1)throttle rod that goes from the gas pedal to the motor should be one piece and round. the 2 piece flat type is non fi.
2)fuel filter should be a big metal can on the right front of the motor. the glass type is non fi.
3)distributor has another cable hookup on the right side for the fi drive cable.
4)numbers on the stamp pad will end with EL

[David J.]

Re: correct cylinder heads

Thank you all for the great information and fast responce. Update.

The vehicle I was asking about is being restored by the orginal owner at a restoration shop. The last time I saw the vehicle the restoration was almost complete but while I was looking at the engine I noticed the front of the cylinder head casting didn't seem correct and that is why I came to the experts. Today the vehicle is still not all together or running and I did not read the addional email responces until I got home. The owner is a very nice 83 year old lady and she requested my presence today to look at the progress and see if there was anything that might not look correct. I am no expert but I really enjoy the hobby as well as my own 1966 coupe big block which I purchased from the same lady with this 1957. I have requested the restorer to retain all of the original parts that he replaced. I well let you know the progress.

David