'57 283 Engine Value
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Redmond, WA
'57 283 Engine Value
Hello!
I'm trying to find what the value would be for a 270 HP 283 factory mechanical cam dual quad manual transmission Corvette engine from 1957. I'm trying to decide if it's worth bringing a '57 with a 327 back to a year-correct 283, assuming that it's actually that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Many of the relevant numbers are listed below:
Block............................... 3731548..... J116..... F1016EG
Rh exhaust manifold...... 3733976
Lh exhaust manifold........ 3733975
Cylinder heads ................3740997
Intake manifold............... 3739653
Water pump.................... 3738483
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-129 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
Valve covers................... 3726086
Distributor ...................... 110891
Camshaft.........................3736097
I'm trying to find what the value would be for a 270 HP 283 factory mechanical cam dual quad manual transmission Corvette engine from 1957. I'm trying to decide if it's worth bringing a '57 with a 327 back to a year-correct 283, assuming that it's actually that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Many of the relevant numbers are listed below:
Block............................... 3731548..... J116..... F1016EG
Rh exhaust manifold...... 3733976
Lh exhaust manifold........ 3733975
Cylinder heads ................3740997
Intake manifold............... 3739653
Water pump.................... 3738483
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-129 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
Valve covers................... 3726086
Distributor ...................... 110891
Camshaft.........................3736097
Racer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 265
Likes: 29
From: El Dorado Ca.
Hello!
I'm trying to find what the value would be for a 270 HP 283 factory mechanical cam dual quad manual transmission Corvette engine from 1957. I'm trying to decide if it's worth bringing a '57 with a 327 back to a year-correct 283, assuming that it's actually that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Many of the relevant numbers are listed below:
Block............................... 3731548..... J116..... F1016EG
Rh exhaust manifold...... 3733976
Lh exhaust manifold........ 3733975
Cylinder heads ................3740997
Intake manifold............... 3739653
Water pump.................... 3738483
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-129 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
Valve covers................... 3726086
Distributor ...................... 110891
Camshaft.........................3736097
I'm trying to find what the value would be for a 270 HP 283 factory mechanical cam dual quad manual transmission Corvette engine from 1957. I'm trying to decide if it's worth bringing a '57 with a 327 back to a year-correct 283, assuming that it's actually that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Many of the relevant numbers are listed below:
Block............................... 3731548..... J116..... F1016EG
Rh exhaust manifold...... 3733976
Lh exhaust manifold........ 3733975
Cylinder heads ................3740997
Intake manifold............... 3739653
Water pump.................... 3738483
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-129 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
Valve covers................... 3726086
Distributor ...................... 110891
Camshaft.........................3736097
Last edited by VETT457; Oct 30, 2020 at 09:10 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 758
From: Mint Hill North Carolina
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Let me see if I can get the ball rolling for you. I will stick with the engine block because it's the foundation and everything else can be adjusted to be correct or match. I sold an original Corvette '59 270hp long block with correct numbers and original stamp pad back (with original pan) in 2010 to a guy that had the perfectly aligned VIN dated car for this engine. It was still standard bore, but needed a total rebuild. He paid $3,000. The two key factors now are, that was ten years ago and can you find a '57 owner that wants to invest the money to make his NOM car appear original again. Check the rest of the numbers and see just how close you are to an original engine. The closer you get the more money you can ask. Neither your block nor mine had VIN derivative's, so as long as the dates line up you are good. There are people out there that will jump on it, but they aren't actively looking because it's like a needle in a haystack. Post a pic of the stamp pad if possible.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,495
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Block............................... 3731548..... J116..... F1016EG
Rh exhaust manifold...... 3733976
Lh exhaust manifold........ 3733975
Cylinder heads ................3740997
Intake manifold............... 3739653
Water pump.................... 3738483
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-129 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
Valve covers................... 3726086
Distributor ...................... 110891
Camshaft.........................3736097
The block and engine stamp, if original, are pretty rare items.
The 997 heads are VERY rare items. The exhaust manifolds are correct. The car tags numbers are correct for a 270 hp engine, but not a 57 vintage. I believe that these carbs started usage in 1958.
Water pump.................... 3738483 - should be 3736493, double check number again
I suspect that you meant to type
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-1299 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
for both carburetors.
Valve covers................... 3726086 are correct, ARe the 7 find or 9 fin?
Distributor ...................... 1110891 - correct for 1957 (not added digit)
The block, if it is not a restamp, is worth decent money, but it is very easy to replicate / fake that that engine stamp.
The real value here are the heads. 997 heads are rare, one year only items.
The biggest issue is going to be finding someone that wants to restore a 57 Corvette to original condition. These days many people are turning them into resto-mods, and selling off the original parts.
Rh exhaust manifold...... 3733976
Lh exhaust manifold........ 3733975
Cylinder heads ................3740997
Intake manifold............... 3739653
Water pump.................... 3738483
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-129 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
Valve covers................... 3726086
Distributor ...................... 110891
Camshaft.........................3736097
The block and engine stamp, if original, are pretty rare items.
The 997 heads are VERY rare items. The exhaust manifolds are correct. The car tags numbers are correct for a 270 hp engine, but not a 57 vintage. I believe that these carbs started usage in 1958.
Water pump.................... 3738483 - should be 3736493, double check number again
I suspect that you meant to type
Rear carburetor........ 6-1299 top..... 049 mid.... 2613S
Front carburetor ....... 6-1299 top...... 049 mid.... 2614S
for both carburetors.
Valve covers................... 3726086 are correct, ARe the 7 find or 9 fin?
Distributor ...................... 1110891 - correct for 1957 (not added digit)
The block, if it is not a restamp, is worth decent money, but it is very easy to replicate / fake that that engine stamp.
The real value here are the heads. 997 heads are rare, one year only items.
The biggest issue is going to be finding someone that wants to restore a 57 Corvette to original condition. These days many people are turning them into resto-mods, and selling off the original parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,660
Likes: 2,344
From: Lake Minnetonka, Mn
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
There was a time when people would dump their 283 and pay up to replace it with a 327. Enjoy the car the way it is. Continue to search for the right engine if you are so inclined. If successful, put all the parts in a safe part of your garage and dispose of the whole package when you get ready to sell it. A 283/270 will never give you the same enjoyment as a muscled up 327.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
35 years ago a good friend bought a very nice '59 Corvette that ran and drove well - with a SB 400 in it. 
He decided he wanted to put a more correct 283 in it and went about the task. He purchased three 283 blocks before finding one that could pass muster with the machine shop doing the engine work. These were not minor or cosmetic issues.
By the early 80's (albeit before internet) a 283 suitable for rebuilding was just plain hard to find. When he was done he said he'd never make that mistake again.
Granted, with the internet and the growing number of resto-mods, your odds of finding a suitable engine are, well, about the same as his were in '85. Probably doable, but it won't be inexpensive...
Good luck... GUSTO
He decided he wanted to put a more correct 283 in it and went about the task. He purchased three 283 blocks before finding one that could pass muster with the machine shop doing the engine work. These were not minor or cosmetic issues.By the early 80's (albeit before internet) a 283 suitable for rebuilding was just plain hard to find. When he was done he said he'd never make that mistake again.
Granted, with the internet and the growing number of resto-mods, your odds of finding a suitable engine are, well, about the same as his were in '85. Probably doable, but it won't be inexpensive...
Good luck... GUSTO
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,459
From: Fresno California
35 years ago a good friend bought a very nice '59 Corvette that ran and drove well - with a SB 400 in it. He decided he wanted to put a more correct 283 in it and went about the task. He purchased three 283 blocks before finding one that could pass muster with the machine shop doing the engine work. These were not minor or cosmetic issues.
By the early 80's (albeit before internet) a 283 suitable for rebuilding was just plain hard to find. When he was done he said he'd never make that mistake again.
Granted, with the internet and the growing number of resto-mods, your odds of finding a suitable engine are, well, about the same as his were in '85. Probably doable, but it won't be inexpensive...
Good luck... GUSTO
He decided he wanted to put a more correct 283 in it and went about the task. He purchased three 283 blocks before finding one that could pass muster with the machine shop doing the engine work. These were not minor or cosmetic issues.By the early 80's (albeit before internet) a 283 suitable for rebuilding was just plain hard to find. When he was done he said he'd never make that mistake again.
Granted, with the internet and the growing number of resto-mods, your odds of finding a suitable engine are, well, about the same as his were in '85. Probably doable, but it won't be inexpensive...
Good luck... GUSTO
I looked into getting the 'correct' block and everything else for my '61 when I got it 5 years ago wanting to get it back to original. Just the bare block was over 5k at Cranes....not counting everything else. When I realized my 383 ran just like I wanted it to, and that my trans and rear end were not matching numbers either, I decided to not worry about it and just enjoy the car. And I've enjoyed it ever since!
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I can only tell you my experience. I had the engine that was in my 57 when I got it which was a good running, no smoking engine with carb, air cleaner, exhaust manifolds, oil pan etc. in other words a COMPLETE running engine that was NOT a Corvette engine but rather a passenger car automatic engine but none the less a 1957 casting number and Flint built. I advertised it here for about a year starting at $2500. reducing it several times until down to $1000. I finally sold it through my local Craig’s List to someone that just wanted a running engine for something that had no significant historical value.
Finding someone that wants/needs your engine with the date code you have is a crapshoot. Advertise it and maybe you will get an immediate hit or you may have the same luck I had.
Finding someone that wants/needs your engine with the date code you have is a crapshoot. Advertise it and maybe you will get an immediate hit or you may have the same luck I had.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 758
From: Mint Hill North Carolina
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
As mentioned before, those 997 heads are very hard to find now and are very valuable. Over the years I have sold three matching sets each for $2500 to $3,000. I haven't seen any up for sale for a while, but I suspect they have at least held their value.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The restomod craze has devalued these prices and have brought a lot of parts to the market at big discounts. Look what has happened to the price of nice original frames.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Hello!
I'm trying to find what the value would be for a 270 HP 283 factory mechanical cam dual quad manual transmission Corvette engine from 1957. I'm trying to decide if it's worth bringing a '57 with a 327 back to a year-correct 283, assuming that it's actually that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Many of the relevant numbers are listed below...
I'm trying to find what the value would be for a 270 HP 283 factory mechanical cam dual quad manual transmission Corvette engine from 1957. I'm trying to decide if it's worth bringing a '57 with a 327 back to a year-correct 283, assuming that it's actually that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Many of the relevant numbers are listed below...
GUSTO
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 642
From: Bandera Texas
Production dates by vin #
OCTOBER 10, 1956 VIN #0177 to 0201 was made. October 12, 1956 , 0227 to 0252 was made. And Oct 15,1956 ,0253 to 0277.
I owned vin 0288. It was made October 16, 1956 along with 0278 to 0302. ALL PER MIKE HUNT SURVEY.
I owned vin 0288. It was made October 16, 1956 along with 0278 to 0302. ALL PER MIKE HUNT SURVEY.