How can you tell if your '59 88 has a 371 or 394? How can you tell if the engine is missing? I am looking at another '59 without and engine and wanted to know what used to be there. The exhaust manifolds are still in the car if that would help.


Nick

 

Simple...The top of the center exhaust port of the left cylinder head there should be a letter after the sequence number... "C" means 371 and "D" means 394. I only have experience with the 394's, but the 394 engine is painted a green ( aqua ? ) and i THINK the 371's are painted a goldish color. If the heads are off the car, 371 is a 4 inch bore, 394's are 4.125

if there was NO motor/ trans in the car, Dynamic 88 came with 371, Super 88 and 98 came with 394. Under the STYLE on the body identification plate by the left windshield wiper transmission there are 2 digits after '59'..Number 32 means it came with 371 and 35 and 38 means it came with the 394

 

Thanks, That helps out alot. Is there a website with all the stats on '59s with models and total length, weight, etc?