1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

[Joe M.]

Any suggestions as to how to remove a 57 balancer/pulley assembly off the crank?

I see the crank is threaded, I assume this was done originally as this is a very original looking motor. Non vette 57 motor was in a 57 vette. Is that threaded snout a clue?

I'm awash in all kinds of pullers but am at a temporary loss, so it is soaking in penetrant for the moment.

One more question re the 57 oil pan. This pan is a 3 step, the drain plug is centered in the sump and located close to the rearmost portion of the pan. Is this a 57 vette pan?

Thanks,
Joe

[John H.]

Re: 1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

Joe -

The engine in your '57 must have a later crank, as drilled cranks and balancer bolts weren't used until the early 60's. Any normal balancer puller will remove it.

The oil pan description sounds like a C1 pan - can you post a photo or two?

[Joe M.]

Re: 1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

John,

Thanks for your help.

I never saw a pick like this except in a flat head ford which is the same configuration but the can is deeper. Is this an unique 57 item?

See the number on the crank.

The pulley is riveted to the balancer and none of my pullers have enough claw to reach around the balancer without hitting the pulley.

Joe

[Jim L.]

Re: 1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

The pulley is riveted to the balancer and none of my pullers have enough claw to reach around the balancer without hitting the pulley.

Joe

Don't try to reach around the pulley to grab the balancer; that's the wrong style of puller. Two of the holes in the pulley go through to threaded holes in the balancer. It is these holes that you use with a puller that spans them to remove the balancer and pulley as a unit.

Jim

[Roy B.]

Re: 1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

Original pulley , original oil pump but car oil pan

[Joe M.]

Re: 1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

Duh, moment!
Balancer came right off with a puller after threading two bolts thru the assembly. Thanks, Jim!

Wondering about the forged crank as the snout is drilled and tapped.
See the cast numbers on the photo of the crank.

Remember reading an article way back when where it was suggested a ford flathead oil pick-up be used in place of the flatter stock chevy pickup. The can-like shape was supposed to be more efficient at picking up oil. Now I see the 57 engine had a square bottom can-like pick-up similar to the flathead. Anyone know why the pick-up style changed from the can in 57 to the pick-ups we now use ?

Thanks for your interest,
Joe

[John H.]

Re: 1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

Joe -

That's a '56-'63 265/283 forged crank; a previous owner must have had the snout drilled/tapped for a balancer bolt.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 balancer/pulley removal/ oil pan id

Duh, moment!
Balancer came right off with a puller after threading two bolts thru the assembly. Thanks, Jim!

Wondering about the forged crank as the snout is drilled and tapped.
See the cast numbers on the photo of the crank.

Remember reading an article way back when where it was suggested a ford flathead oil pick-up be used in place of the flatter stock chevy pickup. The can-like shape was supposed to be more efficient at picking up oil. Now I see the 57 engine had a square bottom can-like pick-up similar to the flathead. Anyone know why the pick-up style changed from the can in 57 to the pick-ups we now use ?

Thanks for your interest,
Joe

Joe----


The oil pick-up pictured is a GM #3836982 or, possibly, a GM #3837159. That style part was used for 1955-57. It was replaced for 1958 by the style pick-up we are most familiar with.

Also, I think the 55-57 pick-ups were later replaced for SERVICE by the more familar style, last available as GM #3754942.