Fired-up my 57 for the First time in 15 Years
08-31-2015, 08:58 PM
#1
12.14 w/ the original 327
Thread Starter
Fired-up my 57 for the First time in 15 Years
I picked a '57 up a couple months ago that had been parked since 2000. I swapped the gas tank and sending unit, installed a battery, checked the oil, topped the radiator and it fired right-up. The previous owner said the carbs needed rebuilt, because it wouldn't hold an idle. Not sure why, but the idle screw was turned damn near all the way in. I backed-it off, and the car ran fine once warmed up. Not sure why it was set that way, maybe the guy was trying to run on the 15 year old gas. 
I still need to go through the brakes and electrical system before I can drive it.
I still need to go through the brakes and electrical system before I can drive it.
08-31-2015, 11:58 PM
#4
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Cool!!
Joe would be proud to see those WCFB's!
JIM
Joe would be proud to see those WCFB's!
JIM
09-01-2015, 12:51 AM
#5
12.14 w/ the original 327
Thread Starter
Jim, I was surprised how smoothly it ran with minimal effort. I hope to get a shake down run in before we move in a couple weeks. If not, it might be a while...
Unfortunately, this one isn't quite the beast that Joe's is. BTW, do you happen to have the pics of his ported intake? I'm thinking about running this intake set-up on my utility sedan.
Unfortunately, this one isn't quite the beast that Joe's is. BTW, do you happen to have the pics of his ported intake? I'm thinking about running this intake set-up on my utility sedan.
09-01-2015, 04:13 AM
#7
Team Owner
Nice car. Get rid of that Mr. Gasket fuel pressure regulator plumbed in to the carb hard line....there have been instances of those literally coming apart spewing fuel all over. Attached are just a few of the many negative Amazon reviews that deal with the problem !
Some VERY early '57s supposedly had the '56 idle bypass screws in the base of the WCFBs (see second picture). If you have those it can be very confusing to set up the idle on the carbs so maybe the prior owner cranked the speed screw in to try to get things going.
Some VERY early '57s supposedly had the '56 idle bypass screws in the base of the WCFBs (see second picture). If you have those it can be very confusing to set up the idle on the carbs so maybe the prior owner cranked the speed screw in to try to get things going.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 09-01-2015 at 04:28 AM.
09-01-2015, 08:55 AM
#10
Love that color.
09-01-2015, 10:02 AM
#13
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I've got these handy. I'm sure Joe has some more. The tricky part was the addition of 1/4"-3/8" of material on top of the port openings so it would cover the ports in the heads. We would have removed more plenum but it was getting pretty light and we didn't want to make it crack. So far it's held up well!
JIM
JIM
09-01-2015, 10:07 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
Nice!
09-01-2015, 10:31 AM
#15
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What a beauty! Great year and great color...I wish mine was that easy to get running after it's 20+ year slumber.....
09-01-2015, 04:20 PM
#17
Drifting
Nice looking black and silver '57. The beige dash and seats are nice and go well with the black exterior. Most black and silver '57s seem to have the red interior like mine.
Have fun doing the door panels and carpeting.
Have fun doing the door panels and carpeting.
Last edited by abdo; 09-01-2015 at 04:23 PM.
09-01-2015, 05:50 PM
#18
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Hey Wes, haven't seen you around here lately. How is every thing going for you?
Glad to see you got the "right" car!
Glad to see you got the "right" car!
09-01-2015, 05:56 PM
#19
Race Director
09-02-2015, 03:29 AM
#20
12.14 w/ the original 327
Thread Starter
Thanks for the kind words. The car is pretty nice, but the deck lid and hood will need re-sprayed because they were scratched while the car was being used as a shelf. Unfortunately, the color is a 2000 Corvette blue. I'm half tempted to respray it a 1957 color before I put it back together
Frankie, I plan to get rid of it. I got a new stock replacement 57 fuel pump for it, but haven't installed it yet. The current pump may have had too high of a fuel pressure, or the car may have had percolation issues with CA's alcohol blend gas. I'm not sure why it was installed.
I may need to pick your brain if there are any drivability issues once I get it running.
Frankie, I plan to get rid of it. I got a new stock replacement 57 fuel pump for it, but haven't installed it yet. The current pump may have had too high of a fuel pressure, or the car may have had percolation issues with CA's alcohol blend gas. I'm not sure why it was installed.
I may need to pick your brain if there are any drivability issues once I get it running.
Nice car. Get rid of that Mr. Gasket fuel pressure regulator plumbed in to the carb hard line....there have been instances of those literally coming apart spewing fuel all over.
Some VERY early '57s supposedly had the '56 idle bypass screws in the base of the WCFBs (see second picture). If you have those it can be very confusing to set up the idle on the carbs so maybe the prior owner cranked the speed screw in to try to get things going.
Some VERY early '57s supposedly had the '56 idle bypass screws in the base of the WCFBs (see second picture). If you have those it can be very confusing to set up the idle on the carbs so maybe the prior owner cranked the speed screw in to try to get things going.
Last edited by wesmigletz; 09-02-2015 at 03:36 AM.