57 water pump gaskets and clutch size

[Mike T.]

I'm putting a 65 283 in my 57. It has 68 heads from a 307. The casting boss at the front of the head looks like it protrudes too far for the front engine mount to mount flush with the block.
Can I use 2 water pump gaskets to make up the difference so the mount will be flush?

Also, I'm using a 61 Vette 3 spd and am in the process of putting a clutch together. Did the 57 use a 11" or a 12" clutch?

(I'm searching for a 548 EF 997 long block and an undated 450 tranny that I can afford, but I want to be able to drive the car until that day comes.)

Thanks for your help.

[Joe L.]

Re: 57 water pump gaskets and clutch size

I'm putting a 65 283 in my 57. It has 68 heads from a 307. The casting boss at the front of the head looks like it protrudes too far for the front engine mount to mount flush with the block.
Can I use 2 water pump gaskets to make up the difference so the mount will be flush?

Also, I'm using a 61 Vette 3 spd and am in the process of putting a clutch together. Did the 57 use a 11" or a 12" clutch?

(I'm searching for a 548 EF 997 long block and an undated 450 tranny that I can afford, but I want to be able to drive the car until that day comes.)

Thanks for your help.

Mike-----


I don't know if the 2 gaskets would cause a problem. I don't think it would but considering the water pump leak problems associated with the C1 front mount, I'm just not sure.

As far as the clutch goes, all C1 Corvettes with manual transmission used a 14" flywheel with a 10" "3 finger" style clutch.

[Mike T.]

Re: 57 water pump gaskets and clutch size

Thanks Joe.
I have a 12" flywheel/clutch I was going to use. I would suspect that it wouldn't be a good idea for a 283, even if it does fit.

[John H.]

Re: 57 water pump gaskets and clutch size

Thanks Joe.
I have a 12" flywheel/clutch I was going to use. I would suspect that it wouldn't be a good idea for a 283, even if it does fit.

Mike -

'63-'68 Corvette small-blocks all used the "small" 12-3/4" 153-tooth flywheel and 10.5" clutch; with your '65 283 accommodating a block-mounted starter, you can use a 403 bellhousing and you're good to go with that setup (if you can fab a bracket arrangement for the inboard end of the clutch cross shaft). Only C1 bellhousings have the holes for the stock inboard cross shaft bracket.

C1 bellhousings used bellhousing-mounted starters, but they only work with 14" 168-tooth flywheels.