57 Vette Engine Color

[Paul B.]

I'm getting conflicting information on whether the 1957 Corvette Engine was painted Red or Orange. What is correct for NCRS judging? Regards Paul Bohannon

[David S.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Paul 1957 engines were painted Orange. 1956 engines were painted Red Dave

[Paul B.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Thanks. I do not have an NCRS restore/judging manual so I didn't know. The engine I had J/11/56 had read paint on it so I was curious if maybe an early one got out with Red still.

[Steven B.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Paul, David is correct (always is, can't go wrong with his advice). From the Fifth Edition TIM & JG: "Engine Color 1956 Corvette engine color is red except possibly the last few weeks of production, which may be orange; 1957 engines are painted orange. Engines were painted with passenger car type front mount brackets to secure the engine to a shipping crate for transport to the factory." Steve

[Douglas B.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

I just recently took procession of my dad's 57 that he bought new in late Oct 1956. #VE57****405. The car is mostly original with 50,300 with no major repairs ever being done to it. I have all the document to prove it (bill of sale, title, repair receipts and pics when new). With out a doubt the engine was painted red. I thought it was odd that it was red but dad insisted that's the way it came? It is a 2x4 carb engine and is stamped FI0I0EG. Thoughts?

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Doug,

1957 #213 was painted Chevy engine orange. Car had never been apart and was parked for 50 plus years after being hit. IIRC around 12,000 miles.

Gary
....

[Douglas B.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Hi Gary, Mine was bought new and has never been a part either? The car is very original and in very good condition for it's age and only minor things have been changed. Even though it was 60 years ago dad has always said that's the way it came?Also somebody earlier posted a question asking about their engine J-11-56, saying it was red and asking if that was correct and they were told that was wrong if I'm not mistaking? My engine was built the day before and it's red? I'm pretty sure I can proof or have enough proof it came with a red engine? Being an early production it has a number of left over 56 parts on it that are not listed as 57 parts? I'm having to replace the water pump is why I'm asking. As I'm taking it apart I see no sign of the engine being any other color than red?About car #213. There are about 7 years +/- plus 12000 miles unaccounted for if it was parked 50 plus years ago after being hit? How do you know for sure it is right? Thanks for your input.Doug

[Dan D.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Could it possibly be a 265? 283s may have been in short supply, with 57 pass cars selling like hotcakes, they may have found some left over 265 blocks laying around and used them.

Just a thought.

Dan

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Dan, '57 265 had a funky yellow engine color.

Doug,

Car was bought from the original owner and he had color slides of the car when he bought it.

That's correct many of the first 100 1957's had mixed parts, but normally not on the motors. Some of the last 100 1957's Flint engines had '58 parts on them.

Gary
....

[Jim L.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Dan, '57 265 had a funky yellow engine color.

And some were green. But these colors were used only in the early part of the model year. By year's end, 265s were orange, just like 283s.

Here is an unmolested, never-apart, late 265:



Jim

[Stuart F.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

My recollection is that green engines were in trucks. My old buddy back in the day had a 56 that was a factory test car of some sort. It had a 301 cu in engine w/ 56 dual quad carbs and manifold and 3 speed manual. I repaired a spun bearing in it for him, that's how I know. It also had the 56 Duntov cam (same specs/different rear journal). I loved those carbs. The block and heads were red too.

Stu Fox

[Joseph T.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

I'm getting conflicting information on whether the 1957 Corvette Engine was painted Red or Orange. What is correct for NCRS judging? Regards Paul Bohannon

The unrestored fuel injection engine in #775 ( Oct.19, 1956 ) still has its orange paint and the 57 Blackwidow engine never touched also has its original orange paint ( Jan.22, 1957 )


Joe

[Jim L.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

My recollection is that green engines were in trucks.

Know what, Stu, now that you mention it, I believe you are right.

[John H.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

It also had the 56 Duntov cam (same specs/different rear journal).

Stu Fox

Stu -

That '56 "Duntov" cam was a one-year-only piece, found only in the (111) "GU"-suffixed 240hp engines; it had the same duration and slightly higher lift than the '57-'63 "097" Duntov cam.


56GUPad3714.jpg

[Douglas B.]

Re: 57 Vette Engine Color

Dan,At first I wondered about that too. It is stamp F1010EG and has the "548" casting number so I'm positive it is a 283. Interesting though when he ordered the car there is nothing on the order form or dealer invoice about the engine size? Just listed that he ordered/bought the "Duntov High Lift Cam" option for $188.30. Doug