The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1957 V-8s - 265 vs. 283

In a recent post, the question was whether or not 283's were used in light trucks in 1957. I knew I had read something about that in one of my books about that, so I went back to see what I could find.

In the book "Chevrolet & GMC Light Truck Owner's Bible" by Moses Ludel, page 8 reads:

"Performance fever and the introduction of exciting new truck models like the Chevrolet's Cameo bed pickup encouraged many buyers to consider the 265 V-8 and, in 1957, Chevrolet's new and even larger 283 V-8 engine option."

Now, I read that to say that 283 V-8 could be had in the 1957 model year for light trucks (since this this is a book about light trucks).

In the book "Chevrolet Pickups 1946-1972" by John Gunnell, page 45 reads:

"Power teams remained the same as in 1956, according to a factory-issued Special Information Catalog that has also been reprinted by Crank 'N Hope Publications. This catalog indicates that a new Taskmaster 283 V-8 was used only in larger 1957 trucks. It should be noted here, however, that the sedan delivery could be had with this hotter engine, the same basic powerplant that arrived in the passenger cars at midyear."

I read that to say that anything "above" a 3600 was available with a V-8 283. To me a sedan delivery is a commercial vehicle, but still a car. That leaves the 1957 year light trucks and suburban without the 283 V-8.

I am sure that I read somewhere that although the 283 V-8 was not advertised for light trucks, that they were still available for the small trucks if they were asked for. Of course I have not found that text yet.

Anybody else have any other published information on 265 vs. 283, one way or another? Any one have a 1957 with a comfirmed original factory 283?

the "Special Information Catalog" is proof enough that GM never put the 283 in 57 light trucks as an "RPO", and no doubt the main reason for that is 57 was the transition from 265 to 283 and they wanted to get rid of the 265's on hand!!

but back then "if they were asked for" meant "the customer gets what the customer wants", unlike today where the customer gets what the dealer can find already built, if the dealer bothers to look - ANY customer request was a possibility in 57, like the odd side windows and 'school bus yellow' paint on my 57 panel , special ordered new for use as a logging camp ambulance .... too bad they were satisfied with the 235

Bill

Considering that only about 2500 of the 515 special order super high performance Mustangs (500 series) exist today, one could assume that just about ANY combination of vehicles would have been built back then.

I agree Rusty. I'm sure I read that the 283 could be ordered, even though it was never published in any sales brochures/catalogs. It read to the effect that few were ordered with the 283 because they didn't know they were available.

As you stated Red58, the "if they were asked for" statement contradicts the Special Information Catalog as "proof" that 283s were "never" put in 57 light trucks. But as you also stated... "RPO".

Just like the Sedan Delivery cars that came with metal sides instead of windows, 92 were made with full side windows. The trim tags were marked "SPL" for special order.

please explain the initials...RPO. I'm new at this and learning alot from you guys.

RPO = Regular Production Option

Not sure this answers your original question but here is a bunch of info for the 56' 57' and 58' Chevy trucks.
There is a list of engines offered (look under engine serial numbers) by year.
I've bookmarked it for future reference.

http://www.chevytrucks.org/mikesgarage/1956.htm

http://www.chevytrucks.org/mikesgarage/1957.htm

http://www.chevytrucks.org/mikesgarage/1958.htm

When they say "larger trucks" they mean 2 ton and larger. The 1/2 - 1 1/2 tons had the 265. That was also the base V-8 in the sedan delivery. The main reason that the 283 was even available in the s/d was that it was a passenger car, and therefore was available with any passenger engine, even the 283 horse feullie engine.
Now that's not to say that if someone made a large enough order (at least 50 units) that the 283 would possibly been installed, it's just unlikely, as trucks are mainly utilitarian vehicles.

At the bottom of the links (from Randy Luton's post) it lists the Loadmaster V8; the 1956 Buick Nailhead 322 engines.
What truck series were these available in? I've got a '54 Buick Special, and am building a '56 322 for it, and have done a little digging on the LoadMaster engines (got a sheet somewhere with cam/power info, etc.). I like the fuel pumps from them because they're single action fuel pumps, not dual action fuel/vacuum pumps for the wiper motors. I have two on the shelf.

Also, those links are for '56-'58. I had thought the 322 Loadmaster was '57-'59. Can anyone confirm?

Brad

the 9 and 10000 series trucks is what the 322 is listed for, that's 2.5T's, heavy duty versions and tandems

Bill

They were also used for school bus only in '58-'59.

My book only has a 283 listed for the sedan/delivery, for whatever it's worth,
Scott