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Need Help Identifying & Valuing Possible 1957 Corvette Dual-Quad 283 Engine
Looking for some help identifying and valuing what appears to be a 1957-era high-performance 283 Chevy/Corvette engine. The engine was removed from a 1959 Corvette and is mostly complete, not assembled.
Here’s what I have:
Block:
Casting #3731548
Casting date D227 (April 22, 1957)
Front pad stamp: F425F
Heads:
Casting #3740997
Date code appears to be L76 (Dec 7, 1956)
Intake:
Casting #3739653
Aluminum Winters intake with snowflake logo
Dual quad setup
Carbs:
Dual Carter WCFB carburetors
Original-looking patina and castings
Still searching for exact carb tag/list numbers
Also included
· Distributor
· Camshaft
· Crankshaft
· Oil Pump, Oil Pan
· Timing Chain cover
· Valve Coves
No pistons or piston rods
The engine appears to be a real period-correct high-performance setup.
I’m trying to determine:
Approximate current market value
The best place to sell it (NCRS forum, CorvetteForum, Mecum, Facebook groups, Bring a Trailer, etc.)
Whether I should sell it complete or part it out
The intake, heads, carbs, and dates all appear authentic and date-correct.
Any insight from early small-block experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I agree, Bruce. If I remember correctly, the single "F" suffix denotes a 2bbl, PG, passenger car engine. All the go-fast goodies are from some other engine.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
Originally Posted by jim lockwood
I agree, Bruce. If I remember correctly, the single "F" suffix denotes a 2bbl, PG, passenger car engine. All the go-fast goodies are from some other engine.
Jim is correct. All 1957 Corvette suffixes had two letters. EF, FH, EH, FG, EM, FK, EG and EL.
Your heads and dual four setup are much more valuable than the block, depending on their condition, but those heads are probably dated too early for that block. I like the valve covers!
Jim is correct. All 1957 Corvette suffixes had two letters. EF, FH, EH, FG, EM, FK, EG and EL.
Your heads and dual four setup are much more valuable than the block, depending on their condition, but those heads are probably dated too early for that block. I like the valve covers!
Thank you all for your insight
It appears the consensus is that piecing the parts for sale is the best option. Do you have any recommendations on where to sell these parts, and any idea what they are worth?
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
The price that anything collectible will sell for is very easy to argue with. Nevertheless, I’ll give it a try.
Your block is maybe worth three to $400 if it’s not cracked. Your dual four set up has an intake that is correct for a 57, but I have no idea what the carbs are. If it’s all 57 it’s maybe worth $2000-$2500. The carbs will undoubtedly need to be overhauled. Your heads are dated correctly for my car and I may be in the market for some sometime. So take what I say with a grain of salt. But having checked on other 997’s, I believe your heads are worth $1500-$2000. They appear to need attention, and that price estimate is based on assuming that they are not cracked or warped.
I would try selling everything on the Corvette forum, Facebook marketplace, and if you are willing to spend a little money, maybe eBay.
Decide in advance if you actually want to sell them or just want to speculate. It’s important to remember that many collectible Corvette parts are not worth today what they were five or 10 years ago.
Need Help Identifying & Valuing Possible 1957 Corvette Dual-Quad 283 Engine
