1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

[Robert C.]

Folks,

A friend bought a 1959 Corvette - original engine is long gone.

We have a 283 pass car block with 1962 heads, intake, carb, generator, distributor, etc.

Cleaning the car, we noticed it has the high rpm tach (redlines at 6500).

We know it wasn't a fuelie - but we'd be interested to know if it was a dual quad motor.

I started reading Nolan's book - need some tips.

The other gauges appear to have the right needle shape........haven't pulled the tach yet.

Any other tricks to determine what this was ?

Rear axle was noted in a '58 post.

Thanks in advance

Bob

[Nicholas L.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

The 270HP dual quad engine also has the 6500 RPM tach.

[William C.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

need to see if the back of the tach is ink stamped "reads cable speed" or "reads twice cable speed" to figure if 270 or FI

[Robert C.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

I can see one ink stamp with an inspection camera.

p/n 1589102 ? Some of the ink has smeared......

Where is the msg. stamped ? Side of case I think I remember from Nolan's book ??

[William C.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

Part number for the tach on a 270 hp was 1549041, ink stamped on the outside of the case, with 6000 redline (approx)

[Robert C.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

Thanks Bill - I'll try and get a better look at this tomorrow

[Steven B.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

If no tell tale signs of FI (air cleaner/hose mounting, FI emblem holes patched, etc.) then a 270.

[Robert C.]

Re: 1959 Corvette - engine id, NOM

That was the first thing I looked for (AC mounting). w/w bracket is on the drivers side.

Rear axle is original, came back as a 3:70 (4 speed car).