Old '54 or '55 Chevy V8

[whitelouis]

I know an old machinist that has a whole shop full of things he's worked on and people end up not paying him for so he keeps it. If any of you are old NHRA fans you may know his name, Victor Vuilsteke, won the 1970 nationals in a '57 Bel Air with a 283. In any case he's got a very old Chevy V8 sitting in his shop, I haven't asked him about it too much but he said it was either a '54 or '55, the first year they made a V8 I believe he said. I'm more of a Ford guy myself so I don't know much about it, I was just wondering what the engine may be worth? It's totally complete as far as I know, heads, intake, block, crank, the works, even the oil pan is there and he claims it's the original. I'm not sure how much work or what he did on it, but his shop only does cylinder heads so I'm guessing that's all the work it would have done. I'm sure there can't be many of these left and it would make a great engine for somebody looking for a factory original resto of an early 50's Chevy. Anyway, thanks to anyone that can give me some advice on this one, he almost sold it for $250 but I told him that was way too cheap and he could surely get more for it.

[Billy Clanton]

Howdy
Well, the 1954 Chevy was still a straight six, 235 CI, but the 1955 Chevy was the first V8 with a whoppin' 265 CI. 1957 was the first 283. Yep, I would give him $250 for that motor, if complete, sight unseen. Folks around here don't seem to answer posts that much, but I check the board almost every nite. Trade ya a rebuildable .o6o over 460 Ford motor & C6 tranny for that little Chevy motor :D
Billy

[whitelouis]

haha rebuildable .060 over, you find me the rebuild kit and we'll talk :P im not tryin to sell it for him, im just trying to figure out how much it may be worth to somebody, because im sure $250 is a lot less than it's worth, seeing as it's the first year they made a V8 :)

[Billy Clanton]

Howdy
Yep, you are right on that! I believe that it would be worth quite a bit more. I don't know exactly how much, but I am workin' on a deal on a '69 Corvette motor all original for $600, and that feels like a good deal. Keep us posted. I would also like to know what its worth. I like building up old hot rods using nostalgic parts. I'm puttin' the Corvette motor & Muncie 4-speed in a '50 Chevy Fleetline, and hope to have it going by summer. Lookin' at the next project as a '50 Delux Coupe with a 327. Probably try to start it this fall or winter.
Billy

[MikeKy55]

Just FYI. The V8 started in 55 Chevys with a 265 CU IN. The 55 block is a one year only casting as it had no provision for an oil filter. They had an optional filter that mounted on top of the intake. In 56 they kept the 265 CU IN, but they made the provision for an oil filter on the drivers side of the block and they remained there. In 57 both the 265 and the 283 CU IN were available. The 265 was really a left over from 56 and GM didn't want to warehouse a bunch of engines. You can spot the 57 265 if it's original by the color. They were what I call a 'puke' green (no offence owners). The 283's were orange.

[MikeKy55]

PS I just gave a 56 265 away. It was bored to 283 and had a 270 solid lifter cam and 283 heads. Not a lot of demand these days. I know a fellow who has at least 6 sitting in his yard. The 55 56 and 57 blocks have no place to use side mounts, so they won't work in later chassis unless you invest some time and or money in mounting.

[smitty734]

would a bellhousing on a 55 chevy six cyl engine fit a 55 chevy v8
thank`s
smitty734