Frequently Asked Questions

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1. 1. On 1955, 1956 and 1957 cars, how do I tell the difference between 1 and 2 piece frames?
2. 2. Can I install a late model TH transmission on my original 1955 or 1956 265 V8?
3. 3. What does "matching numbers" mean?
4. 4. How do I remove the ignition lock from my 1955-64 ignition switch?
5. 5. Will a 1955 2-door sedan windshield fit my 1957 hardtop?
6. 6. I just rebuilt the engines in my 1955 and 1956 Bel Airs. Both cars have original 265 c.i. V-8's. Once I start the car, the lifters rattle loudly. After removing the valve covers from each engine, no oil appears to be reaching the top end. What is wrong?
7. 7. Will a rear bumper from my ’55 Chevy sedan fit a ’55 Chevy wagon?
8. 8. Is the Belair crown molding correct for my 210 or 150 sedan?

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On 1955, 1956 and 1957 cars, how do I tell the difference between 1 and 2 piece frames?
Look at the bottom of the main frame rail under the driver’s door area. On 1-piece frame cars the bottom of the frame will be perfectly flat and smooth. This frame is often incorrectly called the "California" frame. The 1-piece design actually has nothing to do with California as it was used in all assembly plants in all parts of the US. The 2-piece frame design has a rough weld seam right down the bottom center of the frame rail front to rear.
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Can I install a late model TH transmission on my original 1955 or 1956 265 V8?
Yes. The only stumbling block is the starter. The original starter on both Powerglide and manual transmission cars bolted to the transmission. The 1955-56 265 engines had no provision on the block to mount the starter. When using a later TH transmission (200, 250, 400, 700R4) you will need to use our Engine Starter Plate P/N 19-86. This kit sandwiches between the engine and transmission to provide a place to mount the original starter for use with your new transmission!
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What does "matching numbers" mean?
Matching numbers is a collector car term bred out of the muscle car era. Matching numbers, for example, on a 1970 Chevelle means the engine block has the car VIN stamped into the block. Other components including transmission may have the vin stamping. The early 1955-1964 cars (except 409) did not have the VIN stamped in the block or other parts, so the term matching numbers generally does not apply. When an owner sells a 1957 and states it is matching numbers, he/she means that the car has the right engine (ex. 1957 283), transmission, etc… and the build dates of each component are within a 90 window prior to the build date of the car.
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How do I remove the ignition lock from my 1955-64 ignition switch?
First, you must have the key. If the key is missing, see a locksmith. If you do have the key, insert it into the ignition and turn it to the "lock" position. Use a straightened paper clip or similar small stiff wire and push it into one of small the holes in the chrome bezel on the lock tumbler. Turn the ignition to the left (counterclockwise) until the lock tumbler ejects from the switch.
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Will a 1955 2-door sedan windshield fit my 1957 hardtop?
No. here is a list of windshield and rear glass interchangeability:

• Windshield
• * 1955-56 2 and 4-door sedan, wagon, delivery (except Nomad)
• * 1955-56 2-door hardtop, convertible, Nomad and 1956 4-door hardtop
• * 1957 2 and 4-door sedan, wagon, delivery (except Nomad)
• * 1957 2 and 4-door hardtop, convertible, Nomad
• Rear Glass
• * 1955-57 2 and 4-door sedan
• * 1955-57 2-door hardtop
• * 1955-57 2 and 4-door wagon and delivery (except Nomad)
• * 1955-57 Nomad

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I just rebuilt the engines in my 1955 and 1956 Bel Airs. Both cars have original 265 c.i. V-8's. Once I start the car, the lifters rattle loudly. After removing the valve covers from each engine, no oil appears to be reaching the top end. What is wrong?
A very common, yet easily preventable problem on all 1955-56 265 engines. The 1955-56 265 did not have full-flow oiling like 1957 and later engines. The valve train oiled via two holes in the upper part of the rear cam journal. There was a notch cut into the cam that allowed oil to flow from one of the passages to the other on every second revolution of the engine when the notch on the rear cam surface passed by. This fed oil to the lifters and valve train. The 1955-56 rear cam bearing had two holes which aligned with the two holes in the block.

When most engine rebuilders rebuild an engine today, they are unaware that the original cam bearing had two holes. They may install a 1957-up type rear cam bearing which has only one hole. This will starve the valve train for oil and cause lifter, valve and all sorts of major engine problems! The solution is, before the engine is reassembled, cut a notch (any machine shop can do this) between the two top holes in the rear cam journal (see diagram #1) before the rear cam bearing is installed. This will allow installation of a 1957-up type rear cam bearing and full oiling. The oiling of the top of the engine is no longer dependant on a two-hole rear bearing and a notched camshaft. A very simple solution to what can be a very troublesome and expensive problem!


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Will a rear bumper from my ’55 Chevy sedan fit a ’55 Chevy wagon??
A sedan rear bumper will fit a wagon, but you must use the wagon bumper guards on the wagon. If the sedan bumper guards are used, the tailgate will hit the guards when fully opened.
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Is the Belair crown molding correct for my 210 or 150 sedan?
The crown molding on the 150 and 210 were 12 ¾” long. The crown molding on all Belair models was 52” long, so it will not fit the 150 and 210 models.
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