1959 Chevrolet 283 (185 hp) V8 Engine Specs

Model Designation: Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala and Station Wagons (all engines available)

Wheel base: 119

Valve Location: In head

Bore and Stroke: 3.875 x 3.000

Piston displacement, Cubic Inches: 283

Compression ratio: 8.50

Maximum Brake Horsepower: w/2-barrel carb: 185 @ 4600 RPM

Maximum Torque Lbs.Ft. @ RPM: 275 @ 2400 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure Pounds: 35

Spark Plug Make: AC 44

Spark Plug Gap, Inch: .035

Firing Order: 18436572 (front to rear left bank: 1-3-5-7, right bank: 2-4-6-8)

Timing Mark: 4 degrees BTDC; Location: Damper

Engine Idle Speed, RPM: 425

Compression Pressure & Cranking Speed: 150 min.

Voltage & Polarity: 12 volts, negative ground

Fitting Pistons with Scale: Pistons removed from above. Shim thickness: .0015

Pounds on a Pull Scale: 7-18

Ring End Gap: In tapered bores, fit rings in tightest portion of ring travel
Compression: .010
Oil: .015

Wristpin Diameter, Inch: .9271

Operating Clearance:
w/mechanical valve lifters: Intake: .012 Hot Exhaust: .018 Hot
w/hydraulic valve lifters and one carb: Intake: 0 Exhaust: 0

Valve Seat Angle, degrees: 46

Valve Timing: (BTDC = before top dead center; ATDC = after top dead center)
Intake opens: 12-1/2 BTDC Exhaust Closes: 15-1/2 ATDC

Valve Spring Pressure Pounds at Inches Length:
Inner Spring: 160 @ 1.30

Valve Lift Zero Lash: Intake: .3987 Exhaust: .3987

Stem Diameter: Intake: .3415-.3422 Exhaust: .3410-.3417

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake: .001-.0027; Exhaust: .001-.0032

Connecting Rod Bearings:
Journal Diameter, Inches: 1.999-2.000
Bearing Clearance, Inch: .0007-.0027

Main Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.2978-2.2988
    Bearing clearance: .0008-.0034
    Shaft End Play: .002-.006    (Thrust on Bearing 5)

Cooling System:
Without heater: 17-1/2 quarts
With heater: 18-1/2 quarts

Fuel Tank: 20 gallons; Station Wagon 17 gallons

Engine Oil: 4 quarts + 1 quart for filter change

Transmission: Standard: 2 pints; w/overdrive: 3 pints; Automatic: 3-1/2 quarts

Rear Axle: 4 pints