'55 experts, take a look at this pic.

[Paul B.]

Hi guys,
A buddy and I saw this gorgeous '55 at a show today, but not being a '55 experts, we were wondering if you could help us with a couple of questions?
Is this type of ignition shield with braided plug wires original? I'm guessing the chrome valve covers are not? It also had a chromed air cleaner?



Thanks,

Paul

[Mike E.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

All are correct for a 55!

[Paul B.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Thanks Mike.

Paul

[Dennis C.]

'55 experts, take a look at this pic.

The air cleaner lid looks incorrect to me, but then, I'm no '55 expert. Dennis

[Kevin G.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Is the heat riser in the correct clocking position?

[Michael L.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Yep, it is.

[Roy B.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Of what I can see=
Heat riser is wrong
Vacuum advance is wrong
Radiator cap is wrong
Water heater shut off wrong
Washer jar lid wrong
Generator tag wrong location
Dist. Missing Mallory condenser
Oil stick wrong
Fuel pump inlet (brass) elbow wrong 90%

[Stuart F.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Roy;

Just for our own edification, can you explain what is wrong or what it should be? I specially wondered about the VAC and the Heat riser. The VAC looks period correct for early 50's (hex end) and the riser looks ok for passenger cars, as I recall. I believe these are only two stud manifold down spouts and if you swing it 180 degrees then it would be in the front facing inward. Would that be right?

Stu Fox

[Fenwick B.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Is the distributor rotated about 30 degrees more ccw than it should be?

[Roy B.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Roy;

Just for our own edification, can you explain what is wrong or what it should be? I specially wondered about the VAC and the Heat riser. The VAC looks period correct for early 50's (hex end) and the riser looks ok for passenger cars, as I recall. I believe these are only two stud manifold down spouts and if you swing it 180 degrees then it would be in the front facing inward. Would that be right?

Stu Fox

all 55 heat risor look like this car or Corvette,the one showing is a later design the Vac has a hole on it's side that original dont . that's tells me it's wrong. Dist location is OK in %

here is the early Vac # and later Vac both also have no hole on it's side as I mentioned

[Roy B.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Is the distributor rotated about 30 degrees more ccw than it should be?

Hard to say So So

[Stuart F.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Thanks Roy. You are the man!

On the VAC, if it doesn't have a hole in the side (I assume for the vacuum line connection), then is it just a dummy? I recall the 56 dual point distributor quite well. That was a good piece, but a little harder to work on than the later big cap units. That too did not have a vacuum advance, so perhaps the 55 unit was the predecessor of that design.

As I recall, the 55 Vette HP was at 195. Did they arrive at that + 15 over the 55 Power Pack passenger engine with a different cam? I know they did a lot of changes during the 55 production year. My brother got one of the first 180 hp engines in his 210 Del Ray with Hydraulic lifters. I used to borrow it and go out dustin Fords. What a blast!

Thanks for the interesting info.

Stu Fox

[Michael L.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

Stu, the '55 Corvette had a solid lifter cam and 9.5 - 1 compression ratio.

[John H.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

If you REALLY want to get picky, the nylon sleeve is backwards where the accelerator rod goes through the rubber bushing in the accelerator lever; the flange end of the sleeve goes on the inboard side, next to the cotter pin.

[Roy B.]

Re: '55 experts, take a look at this pic.

If you REALLY want to get picky, the nylon sleeve is backwards where the accelerator rod goes through the rubber bushing in the accelerator lever; the flange end of the sleeve goes on the inboard side, next to the cotter pin.

I'm picky when it comes to MY 55 only, others can do what ever they wont unless they ask me!!