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1956 Chevy Belair

12 messages,  Last post on Jul 08, 2010 at 12:17 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet, Car Selling, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 12 Re: 1956 Chevy Belair [mamamauck] by texases

Jul 02, 2010 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: mamamauck (Jul 02, 2010 12:02 pm)
OK, it's a two-door hardtop (that's good). So you'll be able to tell by looking under the hood whether it's a V8 or a 6. You can tell by looking in the car whether it's a stick shift (3 pedals) or an automatic (2).

#5 of 12 Re: 1956 Chevy Belair [texases] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 02, 2010 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: texases (Jul 02, 2010 12:15 pm)
If you gave us the VIN # we could tell you a lot about it, also the 'data plate" numbers which are attached to the firewall cowl inside the engine bay.
 
There can be an ENORMOUS difference in value with a '56 Chevy, depending on:
 
condition
engine
body type
color
options installed on the car
 
If it's a V8, see if you can read the numbers + letters that appear stamped on a small pad just in front of the right side (passenger side) cylinder head.

#6 of 12 Re: 1956 Chevy Belair [Mr_Shiftright] by mamamauck

Jul 02, 2010 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 02, 2010 1:37 pm)
Great! I'll see if I can get over to the garage and get more info this weekend. I want to say it's a stick shift because I remember my mom saying that he changed the stick to "on the tree."
 
It's red and has only had one owner (how rare is that?)

#7 of 12 Re: 1956 Chevy Belair [mamamauck] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 02, 2010 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: mamamauck (Jul 02, 2010 2:10 pm)
The VIN is on the door jamb, where the hinges are.
 
The "three on the tree" would be the original factory set up. There was no floor shift unless someone made one up.

#8 of 12 Re: 1956 Chevy Belair [mamamauck] by texases

Jul 02, 2010 (2:39 pm)

Replying to: mamamauck (Jul 02, 2010 2:10 pm)
For reference, here's a nice 'driver' condition '56 Bel Air 2-dr hard top V8, running condition, supposedly rust free, looks like it'll get bid up to about $10,000. Non-running + rust results in a MAJOR decrease in value, remember!
56 Chevy

#9 of 12 Muddy Sludge in the bottom of the block - how to clean out by dons56

Jul 07, 2010 (2:36 pm)

My question is: I just pulled out one bad freeze plug out of my 1956 Chev Belair 265 V8 and found a bunch of thick mud in the bottom of the block.
I could only reach my finger in so far, but it feels like the mud in about 1/2 inch thick.
I am wondering if I should pull out a freeze plug on the other side and flush as much out as I can - or - leave the plug out and pull off the "out" line water hose and use a pressure water hose and long brush to wash out as much as possible or do I need to do more....?? Like pull the water pump or is there some thing I can pour in the later flush it out? Dons56

#10 of 12 Re: Muddy Sludge in the bottom of the block - how to clean out [dons56] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 07, 2010 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: dons56 (Jul 07, 2010 2:36 pm)
Well if one freeze plug is bad they probably all are bad anyway. That's a lot of crud and really, the only sure way is to take the engine out strip it, pull it apart and hot tank the block. You can flush and flush but you'll never get it all---but sure, you could disconnect the radiator hoses, take out the thermostat, take off the water pump and just flush out as much as you can. It'll be a mess. I'd back-flush, opposite the normal direction of water flow.
 
This may get you running but if you want a car that you'll use for cruises, etc, you probably should go through the engine.

#11 of 12 Re: Muddy Sludge in the bottom of the block - how to clean out [Mr_Shiftright] by dons56

Jul 08, 2010 (5:47 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 07, 2010 6:26 pm)
My thanks. As soon as the 90++ heat breaks out here in VA that will be my weekend project. Dons56

#12 of 12 Re: 1956 Chevy Belair [mamamauck] by isellhondas

Jul 08, 2010 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: mamamauck (Jul 02, 2010 11:31 am)
Like the others have said, it's hard to place a value on this car without knowing everything. By "hardtop", we are assuming there is no post between the side windows. A hardtop is more desirable than the 2 door post model.
 
" some rust here and there" can mean different things to different people.
 
Sounds like a fun project for somebody!

Messages Page 2 of 2

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