Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

[Gregory L.]

Hi Everyone.
After all the research I've done, including reading countless threads on this forum, I finally took the plunge and bought what I hope is the correct cover for my 1959 FI 290hp project motor.
I guess I just looking for some emotional validation. lol
Did I do ok?
Greg

[Bill M.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

The timing spec for the 290 is 14 degrees BTDC. That is why the 290 cover has 8 hash marks above the 0, 2 below the 0 and no R.
edit: There is a picture on page 48 of the 58-60 Restoration Handbook.

[Gregory L.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Thanks Bill, guess I should have waited my handbook arrived.

[Gregory L.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Bill, is this the one you are referring too?

[Bill M.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Bill, is this the one you are referring too?

That's it. I hadn't noticed the stronger strike at 10 degrees on my cover, but mine does have the stronger strike just like the picture.
(I thought maybe that indicated the setting for the timing, but I guess it is just an aid to finding 14....)

[Gregory L.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Thanks again!...I want to share this pic with you because this is where i got notion the first one i showed you was the correct cover...this was from a thread called "57 timing tab"

[Bob W.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

So what is that cover for?

Bob

[Gregory L.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Hi Bob,

Well....the top grey cover is the one i bought for my 59 290hp project motor because based on the drawings i thought that was correct.
The red cover is what Bill recommends as correct given the timing on the 290 was 14 BTDC.

Greg

[Bill M.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Greg:

I'm basing my recommendation on the known original cover for my '59 290. It looks just like the orange cover.
(But it doesn't make sense to use a cover that doesn't have 14 degrees advance on the tab if the spec is 14 BTDC.)

Bill

[Gregory L.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Hi Bill,

Your the first person I've met that actually has an original 59 290, and what you said makes complete sense, so thats what I'm going with.

I'm building this motor piece by piece, to be as period correct NOS as possible. Its literally like automotive archeology. lol
My next challenge is finding the correct heads. Everyone keeps saying the 550's....which I could get away with since my car is a late June 59.
But...do you think heads with a casting date of Jan 59 would be to early from an NCRS perspective?

Greg

[Bill M.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Hi Bill,

Your the first person I've met that actually has an original 59 290, and what you said makes complete sense, so thats what I'm going with.

I'm building this motor piece by piece, to be as period correct NOS as possible. Its literally like automotive archeology. lol
My next challenge is finding the correct heads. Everyone keeps saying the 550's....which I could get away with since my car is a late June 59.
But...do you think heads with a casting date of Jan 59 would be to early from an NCRS perspective?

Greg

The NCRS guideline is 6 months before born date, so they would meet the guideline.
But NCRS doesn't judge head dates, only the pattern on the end of the head and the valve cover bolt pattern.

[Gregory L.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Great thanks!

Have u every heard of "cooling holes" drilled into the 290hp heads only?
Check out the second hi-lighted paragraph. Not sure hot important that is for NCRS either?
That came out of the "Corvette By the numbers" book.

Do you still have your 59 290?

G

[Bill M.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Great thanks!

Have u every heard of "cooling holes" drilled into the 290hp heads only?
Check out the second hi-lighted paragraph. Not sure hot important that is for NCRS either?
That came out of the "Corvette By the numbers" book.

Do you still have your 59 290?

G

I still have the '59, which my father bought new. The restoration of it is my retirement project.
I have seen those cooling holes drilled in a head, but I'm not sure if they were on the '59 heads.
Those are not visible with the heads installed, so no NCRS issues with or without them.

[Gregory L.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Wow....I have my fathers 91 vette....which i thought was cool....but its no where near having havin your dads original 59 290 FI cool!
Perfect retirement project! I'm 50 so not there yet.

This weeks pick ups!


The FI adapter plate restored 550's dated A219...matching heads...based on your ok )

thats my 59

[Bill M.]

Re: Is this the correct Timing Cover for a 59 ??

Wow....I have my fathers 91 vette....which i thought was cool....but its no where near having havin your dads original 59 290 FI cool!
Perfect retirement project! I'm 50 so not there yet.


thats my 59

Beautiful '59!

My '59 is stripped to bare fiberglass right now. Eventually back to original white/red.

I have a black '92 that ls a NCRS McLellan award winner. Almost a twin to your '91.....