Convertible · 265 cu in dual-four-barrel high-lift-cam V8 (approximately 240 hp; unofficial estimate)
1956 Chevrolet Corvette 240 Convertible — 3-speed manual
The 1956 Corvette high-lift-cam combination paired dual four-barrel carburetors with a three-speed manual. Its commonly quoted 240 hp is an unofficial estimate, not a Chevrolet factory rating.
Photo: Charles / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Factory configuration
What this model is
- Trim
- Corvette 240
- Body style
- Convertible
- Engine
- 265 cu in dual-four-barrel high-lift-cam V8 (approximately 240 hp; unofficial estimate)
- Transmission
- 3-speed manual
The Corvette Black Book pages reprinted in GM's 1956 archive describe RPO 449 as requiring RPO 469 and call the accepted 240 hp output unofficial. The factory AMA specification sheet revised July 9, 1956 lists 210 hp and 225 hp; it does not certify a 240 hp rating.
Configuration-specific ownership
Maintenance for this exact configuration
These items are filtered to the engine, transmission, trim, and model-year applicability recorded for this configuration. Broad Amazon category searches are suppressed here; shopping links appear only beside catalog-backed part numbers.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1956 Chevrolet Corvette 240 Convertible — 3-speed manual. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 9
- Factory intervals
- 7
- Fitment-scoped
- 9
- Exact references
- 1
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Chassis and driveline lubrication — service
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Chassis lubrication fittings — lubricate
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Universal joints — disassemble, clean, and repack
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Rear-axle lubricant level — check and add as necessary
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Transmission lubricant or fluid — service
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
3-speed manual or overdrive — check lubricant level
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Battery — inspect and service
Fitment must be confirmed
Check twice monthly; supporting text calls for checking electrolyte frequently and oiling the terminal washers every 1,000 miles.
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Tires and brakes — service
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Tire inflation pressure — check
The schedule calls for a check every two weeks.
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Tires — inspect for puncturing objects
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Tires — rotate
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Brakes — check adjustment
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Air cleaner and crankcase breather — service
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Standard air cleaner — wash and re-oil
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Oil-bath air cleaner — wash and refill
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Crankcase breather cap — wash and re-oil
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Engine tune-up and ignition — service
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Engine tune-up
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Spark plugs — remove, inspect, and regap to 0.035 inch
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Fan belt — inspect and adjust
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Front wheel bearings — remove, clean, and repack
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1956 Passenger Car Owner's Manual, maintenance schedule and guide · Mechanical Maintenance Information, printed pages 16–22; mileage schedule on page 21 and itemized guide on page 22 · checked
Engine oil filter — catalog fitment
Exact reference available
Baldwin P53
This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; the service interval comes from the separately cited Chevrolet schedule.
Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 786, Chevrolet 1956 Corvette 265-cu-in V8 rows — Lube — P53 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin P53
Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for every documented 1956 Corvette engine family; confirm the installed engine and filter dimensions.
Catalog: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 786, Chevrolet 1956 Corvette 265-cu-in V8 rows — Lube — P53 · checked
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Sources
Other 1956 configurations