I have a 1957 2 door 210 handyman wagon. Question on the valve covers did they have a painted script from the factory. If they did do you know what color they were. The engine is a 265 with a overdrive 3 speed on the tree. This also has a oil bath air cleaner did they come with a decal. Thanks Rick going back original as possible.
-------From what I remember the valve covers were Chevy orange with silver painted script. There should be about a million photos around to make sure. I'm also sure the air cleaner had a decale telling how to clean it. Of course, the air cleaner is black. Sadly i forgot what color that 265 engine should be in a 1957..............It ain't orange. Don't laugh. This is true. I've been away from stock stuff too long to remember. Thinkin it is actually some light pinkish color.
After about November 1956, all 265 engines were CHEVY ORANGE (as are the 283 motors), and the valve cover scripts were SILVER." Others say the 265's that were in '57 models were left over from the '56 model year and they were painted yellow/green so that the mechanics that were going to be working on them at the dealerships would have a heads up on which engine was in the car so they could service them knowing which engine was in the car. Make sense my car was built in Ca. who knows what color they painted the motors.
-You are right and that color is correct. I knew it was some funky ugly color. There have been many judging arguments over this at shows. I've actually only seen a few at Florida shows. Mostly when Classic Chevy Club had shows at Old Town in Kissimmee--near Orlando. Good luck. It's rare when owners try to make their cars look original now days. Every little body inspection mark and bolt must be exact. I've never had a perfect car. That's why I am happy with our Handyman. An Illinois rust belt car with radiused rear fenders using Nomad openings to replace rust. If it were a Nomad I'd baby it.
did they put a 265 in a '57 ... I thought they switched to 283 at that point ... but not sure. .... anyhow on the script, I heard (and this has really been a issue at the ChevyTalk forum) the silver painted script depended on the budget during that production quarter ... some had it some didnt. The same with painted exhaust manifold ... a few were painted chevy orange, but I dont think it stuck very long.LOL
Early 57's used left over 265 engines. Like Ford and others, nothing was wasted. As Rick wrote, those engines were another pea greenish-yeller color so mechanics could tell the difference before tearing them down.-You are right about the script also. Some shortcuts left many things orange. And , yes, the complete engine, including exhaust manifolds was engine color. No time for masking paper or tape. Since it was engine paint, it soon burned off the exhaust.
Most of the info is correct. The early '57 265s were Chartreuse. Here is a pictureof an early 265 that has been restored to original colors with black script. The '57 265s were not left over '56 engines. The block casting numbers are the same as '57 283s, just with a different bore.
Nice...........All I remember about these engine colors was it sure attracted a lot of "Chevy Guys" who thought they knew it all.
