need opinions on my 57

I know this question is sounds stupid but I cant decide what motor to use in my 57 4-door hardtop I am tossing together to cruise. I have a original 55 265 that needs only a bath and a 454 out of a 70 chevelle(LS-5). What one would you all toss in it. I am tring to use stuff I have laying around sence money is tight and I put my other 57 build on hold till money frees up a bit. I have a 350 turbo and a 400 turbo to back them up also, I just need to pick one and run with it. LOL ,Tim

 

The big block is a royal pain to install. Crashing the firewall most times headers are required. For ease of installation the radiator needs to go to the 6 banger position if it's not there already. Depends on your oil pan you may have issues there also. But that's just my opinion.

 

id do the 265/350. then again, im not a big fan of big blocks

 

That kinda what I was thinking . It just hard to decide because i have everything for both installs. I could do the 265 in a weekend but the big boy will take longer ( like 325w said )I have to masage the fire wall a bit. Thanks ,
Tim

 

Go with the 265...................Rich

 

Sell the 265 to a 55 restorer and buy a 283-327-350.

 

Andy, I have been tring to sell it for a few years now. The restorers all want certain date codes and if they are not worried about that they want it for free. Tim

 

money is tight....and with todays gas prices you are thinking about a big block???HaHa...I know what I'd do! (265 of course)

 

A turbo 350 or 400 won't work behind a 265 because the starter bolts to the bell housing. I've had many tri-5s with all kinds of small blocks and big blocks, my current 57 has a SBC. I would not put a BB in the car unless I was a glutton for punishment. Everything from running hot to boiling starters not to mention steering the thing. As Andy said sell the 265 and find a late 283, 307, 327, 350, that will get you the most enjoyment for the buck.

Thinking smarter in my old age.

Pat

 

doh, didnt think of that!

 

I'd use an LS-1. I mean the 265. the BB is too much of a headache for a cruiser.

 

I have a starter adapter for the thing.The starter bolts to it so the starter issue is not a problem. Selling to buy is not really an option as nobody seems to want the thing although it runs great. It is going to be the family sled anyhow. I just have all this stuff not doing nothing and I wanted to see what might be the better route to get this sled rolling so we can haqve fun with the family. I been told i was crazy for going the 265 route and should go BB but I just want to see what ya'll thought. I aint crazy. Tim

 

I´d use the 265. These early small blocks are cool in my book and they are good engines. My 0.02$ ..

 

Chevy 150 if you have that adapter then its a no brainer. Good Luck and Happy Motoring.

Pat

 

Thanks guys, I think I know with fork in the road I am taking.

 

There is no replacement for displacement.....

 

NO replacment for displacment, A deple on the pass side firewall and some mounts, whats hard, did this swap in 71 when there were no parts for this swap ( I could )afford ) LOL. took a week outside in my uncles wrecking yard, OH you do have one to get parts from , Go SBC.

 

OK, here's my 2 cents worth.

The big block will work in the '57 OK because the '57 firewall has an additional "dent" in it, which offers a little more clearance that the '55/6 cars. But, I'd sell the '70 Chevelle LS5 454 to a restorer or "cloner". The 265 will yield the correct oil pan for proper clearance of the tierods. The proceeds from the sale of the 454 will by a VERY good 350 - with cash left over. Swap the 265's oil pan onto the 350 and you're good to go. The 454 is worth more to a Chevelle guy than to anyone else. Good luck.

 

265....save the BB for somthjing w/ 2 doors

 

4ever18 the 265 0il pan will not work on anything but a 55 265. The 265 block has no provision for a oil filter thus the pan has straight rails and ONLY fits a 55 265 and early 56. A 57 265 HAS a oil filter in the conventional spot. Like I said been through this before.

Pat

 

1934coupe, I stand corrected. The sins of a '57 guy, I guess. A '57 265 is the only 265 that I've ever owned.

 

I have a 265 in my 56 and I always liked how snappy and responsive they were. Mine has 3spd o/d, WCFB 4bbl and gets 23mpg. I have no complaints about the power, although I wouldn't want to pick up a money race in it. All the big block cars I ever rode in drove like snowplows. And my pickup has a big block and gets 9 mpg. That's right. nine. Put a set of speedway rams horns on it, 2" dual exhaust with glasspacks, and drive the hell out of it.

 

Think about it.

(And I'm sure you have been.)

You said cruising and all you need is a dependable engine to get you to the Saturday night rod run and maybe a few other trips.

The small V8's have the right sounds and you may get fair gas mileage with them.

Save the BB's for the hot rods.

Make the car smooth looking and quiet.
A pair of stock mufflers with 1 3/4" - 2" exhaust and manifolds will help quiet it down and make it quiet.

You don't need a noisy car cuz you don't have anything to show off with a small stock engine.

Clean up the engine bay, paint the engine nicely, perhaps a few small chrome things and keep the hood closed....

 

Well, Thanks everyone for the replys. I decided to go small block on the 57 4-dr hardtop. I will stick the 454 in the wifes 65 elco. And the 57 gasser will get the supercharged small block out of the 65 elco. I just got my head clouded somehow and started looking at the BB for the 4dr.Whew, maybe I need to fab up some motor mounts with zippers. This way everything gets a motor with no buying or selling. Thanks again,

C9 Your correct ....just want to cruise in it. On the weekends when we have all our kids together we dont have a car that seats 6 which is why I am trying to toss this car together in the first place...that and I got all kinds for stuff piled up doing nothing. Tim

 

how much for the ls5 thanks brad

 

Might try a private message next time although he hasn't been logged on since August.