1957 Corvette Super Sport

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich,
At the 50th anniversary of the Corvette at Flint Michigan in 2003 at the banquet I sat with a fellow who was Harley Earls grandson, I believe.
He gave a short presentation and had a Fedora similar to the one Harley wore.
It was a interesting evening.
Bruce

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Bruce, I'd imagine that was quite a treat.

I was at the car today and the steering wheel is in fact 17". I think it appeared smaller in the standalone photos as there was no reference item to compare to.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

We've got a little drip leak in the heater valve we need to figure out. I can see it coming from what appears to be between the brass housing and a brass insert where the plunger rod sits. I've never torn into one of these valves before, but I'm going to try to see if we can fix it here rather than replacing or sending it out.

Today we'll have to drain some coolant and remove it for a look see.

I'm also going to repair the original 1112043 generator drive endframe mount boss threads which are stripped. I'll use a 5/16"-18 Helicoil, as I have many times before.

===
When this car was acquired in the late 90's, along with it came boxes of parts. We found a few interesting items yesterday.

This is a FI cable with the name "Poole" hand written on it. Carrying a spare was common even then I'd say. Maybe Larry got this before he flew to Illinois to drive the car back to New Mexico?


This next one sheds some new light on finding the people who knew this car in the 50's. Who is "Brad" Poole? Any of you Albuquerque folks know who he is and if he is still in the area?


Strange thing is though, those gaskets are not really the type for a 4360 unit, right?

This is......


Thickness comparison...


Rich

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich,
I believe the 4 individual gaskets are the original type.
The single thick gasket was used later to help keep heat from the plenum and spider, I don't think it is a GM part.
But it does help with heat.
Bruce B

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich,
I believe the 4 individual gaskets are the original type.
The single thick gasket was used later to help keep heat from the plenum and spider, I don't think it is a GM part.
But it does help with heat.
Bruce B

Thanks Bruce, As you know I'm a FI rookie so always good to learn.

Rich

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich,
One more question; what color is the temperature sensor wire ?
My early 57, 08xx had a blue wire in the original harness which was later changed to orange sometime after that.
M & H kindly replaced their blue wire with a orange one for my car.
Just curious.
Bruce

[Dan D.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich, aftermarket sells a repair kit for the heater valve. It only contains 2 parts - the outer packing and a rubber internal seal to prevent water from circulating when the valve is closed. Be advised that this inter seal does not fit (too big) and does not slide in and out - it just jams up actuator rod. Besides, if your original looks okay, just reuse it. If it leaks a little bit all it will do is allow a small amount of water to bypass the valve and flow into the heater. So what. Don't even bother to replace it. I know you are big on using original parts anyhow, and this is a good example for using original parts. The other rubber is the packing and that is what is leaking. It is probably just dried out from setting, and may even expand and re-seal now that it has water in it. You could also try tightening it some. If all fails, the repro kit packing will fit and work okay. Now this is my experience with it going back 4 or 5 years. I worked with another member at the time that had a similar situation.

Dan

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich, aftermarket sells a repair kit for the heater valve. It only contains 2 parts - the outer packing and a rubber internal seal to prevent water from circulating when the valve is closed. Be advised that this inter seal does not fit (too big) and does not slide in and out - it just jams up actuator rod. Besides, if your original looks okay, just reuse it. If it leaks a little bit all it will do is allow a small amount of water to bypass the valve and flow into the heater. So what. Don't even bother to replace it. I know you are big on using original parts anyhow, and this is a good example for using original parts. The other rubber is the packing and that is what is leaking. It is probably just dried out from setting, and may even expand and re-seal now that it has water in it. You could also try tightening it some. If all fails, the repro kit packing will fit and work okay. Now this is my experience with it going back 4 or 5 years. I worked with another member at the time that had a similar situation.

Dan

Dan, thanks. We have it out and apart. The rubber seal is brittle. Who makes the repair kit? We need one.

Thanks,
Rich
PS ... Bruce, the temp wire is Blue.

[Dan D.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich, I'm pretty sure I bought mine from Corvette Central. They are not expensive. I think you can buy the complete valve assembly too, but don't quote me on that. My car sat for about 40 years, but the rubbers were in good shape. I just rebuilt mine because it was old and I didn't want coolant dripping on the new carpet.

-Dan-

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Rich, I'm pretty sure I bought mine from Corvette Central. They are not expensive. I think you can buy the complete valve assembly too, but don't quote me on that. My car sat for about 40 years, but the rubbers were in good shape. I just rebuilt mine because it was old and I didn't want coolant dripping on the new carpet.

-Dan-

Dan,

Thanks, I'll check with CC. Yes the entire valve is available in reproduction but we want to repair this one as it's original to the car with it's traces of blue overspray form the Styling mods.

I did a temporary repair and made a new seal myself so we can do more tests of other car functions. It was dripping a bit and seemed to seal itself but we didn't trust it. The inner bushing and circular cage is fine. I made a new seal from thick rubber stock using punches. It's back in the car and working fine for now.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Dan, Yes I see CC has them....#451106. I see that seal on the right is not part of what's in this valve I took apart. The one we need is that one on the left. Certainly a outrageous price IMO.... Yikes.

Thanks for the info.

Rich

[Dan D.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Okay Rich,

If you made a rubber packing that is probably as good as what CC sells. You can also tighten down the spanner nut to expand the rubber for a better seal. Too much though and it will bind up the shaft.

Just how much is CC getting for these now? When I bought mine several years back they were not all that expensive. Either way it sounds like you have the problem solved. Important thing is that it doesn't leak and drip down on the carpet. Especially the SS you are working on, as it is a one of a kind and is irreplaceable.

-Dan-

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

Okay Rich,

If you made a rubber packing that is probably as good as what CC sells. You can also tighten down the spanner nut to expand the rubber for a better seal. Too much though and it will bind up the shaft.

Just how much is CC getting for these now? When I bought mine several years back they were not all that expensive. Either way it sounds like you have the problem solved. Important thing is that it doesn't leak and drip down on the carpet. Especially the SS you are working on, as it is a one of a kind and is irreplaceable.

-Dan-

Dan, Yes I made it but it's very tight against the shaft and really doesn't move easily. I'll wait until we get the special seal. Heater is just a placeholder actually. Wouldn't do too well with no top.

The kit is $35, and since the only one needed as you say is the bushing shaped piece, I think I may try to find some over the counter part somewhere.

There is no carpet in it, as it has aluminum floor pans and those leather heel pads on the floor.

Thanks,
Rich

[Dan D.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

I don't remember what I paid for the kit, but it was no where near $35. That's $15 for each $1 rubber seal. Fantastic! But that seal fit good, unlike the seal in the basket that wouldn't work no how. I have been following this thread and I saw your pics of the floor pan. That sure is a neat car.

I don't know what radiator cap pressure you will be running - stock was 4# I think. But even 7# is not a lot of pressure so I don't think it is too hard for that valve to seal.

Boy, you sure have all the fun!

-Dan-

[G B.]

Re: 1957 Corvette Super Sport

The thick, one-piece plenum base gasket was factory installed on all '57 model injection units and most '58 units. The FDF manufacturer's marking means it's probably an assembly line GM part. I've never seen a reproduction gasket with that marking, only originals. Chevy realized it didn't really reduce fuel percolation so they stopped installing it around the time they went to die-cast fuel bowls. Warning: if you don't use the thick gasket with a sand-cast fuel bowl, your bowl may contact the right valve cover.