Technical Let's talk 283s again...

I’ve always wanted a 283 to put on a stand in my shop. Just for show or until the right car comes along. This one’s on marketplace now.

 

Heck, half the value if not more, is the 3 deuce setup.

 

Nice 265 complete on Craigslist Cincinnati Ohio.
$200
Looks like deep groove pulleys. $$
SHHHHHHHHH don't tell any one, it has a 67 302 crank in it. Single notch round flange. $$$$$

Search: 265 SBC or Chevy SBC

 

And again if it is a 302 crank, there's the value...

 

Yep, good chance someone put money in it.
56 has oil filter....

 

Isn't that where the joke lie's? Weren't they the same forging's? If not, please disregard this post.

 

No 302 is counter weighted different.
Possibly Nitrided as well.

Round flange steel is 283.
Single Notch 302 ( I have seen these cranks in Military 283s)
Double Notch 327

 

Not if it's been ground undersize.

 

There's a couple free ones local to me:





https://www.usedvictoria.com/boat-parts/40454395

They are on southern Vancouver Island, just north of Seattle, a short ferry trip from the Northwest tip of Washington state.

 

Now those I'd pass on. I'd be afraid of a lot of corrosion.

 

I don't know enough about boats to know if those would have been salt water cooled, but the seller is selling exhaust heat exchangers separately.

But they should have good cranks and rods etc. at least. Actually everything but the blocks, heads and intakes should be good even if salt water cooled.

Luckily I only collect Ford engines, or they'd be in the back of the pickup.

 

Correct, but you can re-Nitrite it. Not that it makes a difference. U can also cut s.j. cranks 0.050 u.s.

 

Those Vortec head valve cover adapters with older valve covers do look better than the center bolt valve covers... but; Any one who knows 283s can tell the difference. Besides, the little fin on the right front of the block shows if it's old enough to be a 283. (or a 265, or a 327...)
(A 283 with Vortec heads will run strong though)

 

If I were to use aluminum heads, I think that I'd have to do a little welding and machining to bolt those covers I just picked up on them. Still not perfect, but okay...

 

Got this 283 for free. However, it was locked up at the time. Only took a little bit of effort to get it to turn over. Looks to be a very low milage engine and is really clean inside. It was first pulled out and stored sometime in the mid 1970's.
It's a 1958 Power Pack, 3 speed engine. The plan is for it to go into my beat up 56 Chevy. By the way, I learned something new from this engine. 58 and 59 Chevy small blocks had front accessory bolt holes on one end of the heads. They were for the air compressor pump for the factory air suspension.

 

Interesting about accessories bolt holes. My 283 has the bosses cast on the heads, but undrilled. Must have saved a few pennies...

 

.... until one of those undrilled engines came down the line and the build sheet said the car was supposed to have those options!

 

That would qualify as an oh $#!+

 

Took the parts of my 327 to the engine shop yesterday and had a chance to talk with jack about both of the engines. And if you have read elsewhere where I posted this, you know I will probably be getting a 2nd 327. And I like some have talked about above, Jack asked me if I was a little crazy. 350s are so much cheaper to build than the peashooter. To which I replied it's the nostalgia. And he understood...

So let the planning begin! I'm going to make an effort to get it running again this spring, and see how it is. So once the garage is cleared out, it'll be time to build a run stand. Radiator, check. Starter, check. Battery, check. Oil pressure gauge, check. Exhaust system, check. Fuel tank, check. Steel for the stand, check.

Okay then have at it... pictures in a couple of weeks

 

Have you gotten this one running yet? I'm a slacker, and the best I can claim is efforts to locate some 2G Rochesters for a 3 deuce setup. I know, crazy old fart! What can I say, the Hilborns on the 283... nah, they belong on a 327!

I've got a sketch of a little fab work ahead. It's for a stand to run engines on. Yeah, I could buy one, but for just a little bit of effort I can make one from stuff that has been taking up space in the garage. More to come...

 

Run stands are fun. When you get a good running mild engine on it, best time to freshen carburetors...

 

I'm in the market for a 283 or 307 complete core. I picked up a clean OT Chevy Belair, a '66. It runs very well but I'd like to have another engine waiting in the wings. Probably easier to find a 283 over a 307 these days, my 307/327 stash is long gone after I quit racing. Ironically they went to a guy who outfits boat inboards.

 

I'll keep my ears open for another one up this way. Would you use a 327 if I hear of one?

 

Too bad you didn't post this last spring when I had those 520 heads done by D.P.S.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/an-unexpected-old-school-cool-find.1289825/

 

Timing is everything! Mine has always been off a couple of degrees. Usually retarded...

The good news is that there are pistons available for the 283, 0.030 over forgings, that will get the compression up. So the open chambers are not a huge disadvantage. Porting is another subject for another time.

The last 7 or 8 years of my research career was spent developing flow measuring and calibration equipment for emissions research. I have some leftover equipment and bits and bobs that I could repurpose into a large scale flow measurement device. And being retired I have the time to massage ports in my garage if need be. I will say however that I hate cast iron grit...

 

My brother stores a couple of them in my shop, so thanks anyway. I would have to see how complete they are. One is a real-deal 327/365 with a forged steel crank.

 

As mentioned in the Whatever project thread, I got the new 3 deuce manifold and the conversion kit for the carburetors, and I have enough carburetors to build up a set. I think I mentioned getting an ultrasonic cleaner to use on the carburetors. Unfortunately life has gotten in the way a little bit, and I'll be slowing down on progress for the near future. Oh well what can I say, fall will be here before we know it and the garage will be cooler then...

 

So will the 283 end up a 400 ci stroker?

 

Well, ratrodder has a 400 that's just sitting around. He'd probably let me break itin for him. And see if a T5 transmission can take 550-600 hp in a lightweight roadster. I think the quick change is up to the task. And the chassis should be okay.

I might need new underwear after a quick blast however!

 

Naw I was joking because apparently in the late fifties there was a company selling kits to turn a 283 in a 400 using Buick rods, 4" bore, and an offset welded and ground 4" stroke 283 crank