1959 CORVETTE

General Specifications

Chasis:

Wheelbase: 102"

Overall Length: 177.2"

Tire Size: 6.70 x 15 inches

Body Data:

8 Cylinder:

2 Door Convertible, 2 Passenger, Model #J800

Base Price: $3,875; Shipping Weight: 2,900 Pounds;

Production Total: 9,670

8 Cylinder Engine Specifications:

230 HP Engine:

Engine Type: V-Type 8 Cylinder, Overhead Valve

Bore & Stroke: 3-7/8" x 3"

Engine Displacement: 283 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 9.5 to 1;

Taxable Horsepower: 48.05

Horsepower: 230 @ 4,800 RPM

Maximum Torque: 300 Ft Lbs @ 3,000 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI

One, 4 Barrel Carburetor

245 HP Engine:

Engine Type: V-Type 8 Cylinder, Overhead Valve

Bore & Stroke: 3-7/8" x 3"

Engine Displacement: 283 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 9.5 to 1;

Taxable Horsepower: 48.05

Horsepower: 245 @ 5,000 RPM

Maximum Torque: 300 Ft Lbs @ 3,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI

Two, 4 Barrel Carburetors

250 HP Engine:

Engine Type: V-Type 8 Cylinder, Overhead Valve

Bore & Stroke: 3-7/8" x 3"

Engine Displacement: 283 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 10.5 to 1;

Taxable Horsepower: 48.05

Horsepower: 250 @ 5,000 RPM

Maximum Torque: 305 Ft Lbs @ 3,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI

Fuel Injection

270 HP Engine:

Engine Type: V-Type 8 Cylinder, Overhead Valve

Bore & Stroke: 3-7/8" x 3"

Engine Displacement: 283 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 10.5 to 1;

Taxable Horsepower: 48.05

Horsepower: 270 @ 6,000 RPM

Maximum Torque: 285 Ft Lbs @ 4,200 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI

Two 4 Barrel Carburetors

290 HP Engine:

Engine Type: V-Type 8 Cylinder, Overhead Valve

Bore & Stroke: 3-7/8" x 3"

Engine Displacement: 283 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 10.5 to 1;

Taxable Horsepower: 48.05

Horsepower: 290 @ 6,200 RPM

Maximum Torque: 305 Ft Lbs @ 4,400 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI

Fuel Injection

Available Axle Ratios:

Information Not Available

1959 CORVETTE

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine:

Ground Polarity: Negative

Voltage: 12 Volts

Spark Plug: AC 44

Spark Plug Gap .035"

Point Gap: Turn adjusting screw in until engine misfires, then back off 1/2 turn.

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 4 Degrees BTDC on Damper

Engine Idle Speed: 425 RPM

Cylinder Head Torque: 60-70 Ft. Lbs

Compression @ Cranking Speed - 150 Lb

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, With Mechanical Lifters & Two 4 Barrel Carburetors:

Operating (Tappet) Clearance, Hot:

Intake: Zero

Exhaust: Zero

Valve Seat Angle: 46 degrees

Valve Timing:

Intake Opens 12-1/2 Degree Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 15-1/2 Degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Spring Pressure: 160 Lbs @ 1.30"

Fale Lift, Zero Lash:

Intake: .3987"

Exhaust: .3987"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .001-.0027

Exhaust .0015-.0032

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .3415"-.3422"

Exhaust: .3410"-.3417"

Pistons, Pins, Rings, Crankshaft, & Bearings Data:

8 Cylinder Engine:

Fitting Pistons:

Shim Thickness to Use: .0015"

Pounds Pull On Scale: 7 to 18

Ring End Gap:

Compression: .010"

Oil: .015

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9271"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 1.999"-2.000"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0007"-.0027"

Rod End Play: .008-.014

Rod Bolt Torque: 30-35 Ft. Lbs.

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.2978"-2.2988"

Main Bearing Clearance: .0008"-.0034"

Thrust on Rear Bearing: Rear

Crankshaft End Play: .002"-.006"

Rod Bolt Torque: 60-70 Ft. Lbs

Capacities:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 15-1/2 Quarts

With Heater: 16-1/2 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 16-1/2 Quarts

Radiator Cap Pressure:

Without Air Conditioning: 7 PSI

Thermostat Opening Temperature: 180 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 16.4 Gallons; 24 Gallons Optional

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts with New Filter

Transmission Oil:

3 Speed Manual: 2 Pints

4 Speed Manual: 2-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission:

Refill: 3-1/2 Quarts

Total Capacity: 10-1/2 Quarts

Rear Axle: 4 Pints

Generators:

8 Cylinder Engine:

#1102043

Rotation: Clockwise

Generator Output: 30 Amps @ 2,310 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 28 Ounces

Field Current @ 12 Volts: 1.48-1.62 Volts

Regulator #1119234

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.6

Armature Air Gap: .020"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"

Ground Polarity: Negative

#1102059

Rotation: Clockwise

Generator Output: 30 Amps @ 2,310 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 28 Ounces

Field Current @ 12 Volts: 1.48-1.62 Volts

Regulator #1119235

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 12.6

Armature Air Gap: .020"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"

Ground Polarity: Negative

Distributors:

8 Cylinder Engine:

#1110891

Clockwise Rotation

Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Point Gap: Turn adjusting screw in until engine misfires, then back off 1/2 turn

Condensor .18-.23 Mfds.

Breaker Arm Tension: 19-23 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1-1/2 Degree @ 400 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 1,850 RPM

#1110946

Clockwise Rotation

Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Point Gap: Turn adjusting screw in until engine misfires, then back off 1/2 turn

Condensor .18-.23 Mfds.

Breaker Arm Tension: 19-23 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1-1/2 Degree @ 400 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 1,850 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 7 to 9 Inches Vacuum

Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Travel: 15 to 16 Inches Vacuum

Maximum Vacuum Advance: 7-1/2 Degrees

Starting Motors:

8 Cylinder:

#1107664

Clockwise Rotation

Brush Tension: 35 Ounces (Minimum)

No Load Test: 49-76 Amps, 10.6 Volts @ 6,200-9,400 RPM

Torque Test: 270-310 Amps, 4.25 Volts. Torque 10-1/2 Ft Lb

Rear Axle & Brake Specifications:

Ring Gear Pinion Backlash: .005"-.009"

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: None

Axle Shaft End Play: Controlled by Bearing Retainer Ring

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front 1-1/8"

Rear: 1"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifictions:

Caster: + 2 Degrees

Camber: Degrees

Toe In: 0 to 1/8""

Toe Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 17 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 3-1/2 Degrees to 4-1/2 Degrees

Carburetor Types:

8 Cylinder Engine:

Carter WCFB

Carburetor #2626S

Idle Screw, Turns to Open: 1/4 to 1-1/4 Turns

Float Level:

Primary: 1/8"

Secondary: 1/4"

Float Drop:

Primary: 5/8"

Secondary: 3/4"

Fast Idle: None

Unloader: None

Bowl Vapor Vent: 1/16"

Secondary Throttle Lever: .017"-.022"

Automatic Choke Setting: None

Carter WCFB

Carburetor #2627S

Idle Screw, Turns to Open: 1/4 to 1-1/4 Turns

Float Level:

Primary: 1/8"

Secondary: 1/4"

Float Drop:

Primary: 5/8"

Secondary: 3/4"

Fast Idle: .018"

Unloader: 1/8"

Bowl Vapor Vent: 1/16"

Secondary Throttle Lever: .017"-.022"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

VIN Numbers:

J59S100001 - J59S109670

Popular Options:

Signal Seeking AM Radio; Heater; Windshield Washer; Parking Brake Alarm; Courtesy Lights, Sun Shades, Turn Signals; Powerglide Automatic Transmission, White Sidewall Tires, Auxiliary Top, Power Operated Folding Top, Power Windows, Posi-Traction Axle, Radiator Clutch Fan,Various Engine Options, 4 Speed Manual Transmission, Two Tone Paint.

Paint Colors:

Tuxedo Black

Inca Silver

Classic Cream

Snowcrest White

Frost Blue

Crown Sapphire

Roman Red

1959 Corvette Promotional Model Cars Available:

Plastic: Corvette Convertible

1959 Corvette Historical Data:

1959 Corvette model year introduction date was in October 1958.

Model Year Production: 9,670 Cars

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