283 Chevy Engines...are they worth very much nowadays??

I had a friend come up to me about quitting time at work and asked me if I would be interested in a total of (3)-283 Chevy Engine blocks. I asked how much and I believe I could get them all for around $75.00. Are they worth saving as compared to say a 350? In the end, I know the Chevy 350 would be a better choice and probabaly cheaper as well to build. Just thought that I would ask everyone and see what you all would suggest...pass or snatch??
Thanks!

 

hell if i found 3 of them for 75 id snatch it in a heartbeat i turn them into 301's

 

It depends on what you want to do with them.
I've got one from a '62 truck that I have fantasies of building a drag motor out of (trucks had thicker walls, up to '62)
I've also got a '57 with date-code correct Fuelie heads, 9-fin valve covers and correct 2x4. It won't make crap for power compared to a 350, but it'll be period correct.
Tudor built one with 4:71 huffer and just got it on the road this weekend.

They have their place.

-Brad

 

that's a good deal , get them. a lot of guys still love and use them...me included

i think they are easier to cool than a 350 ( if not bored all the way out ) , and get good fuel mileage. my `36 has one

 

Grab 'em !!

 

It depends on the numbers on them. My buddy saved a couple of shitty core 283s and trans out of some rotty 59-60 parts cars and I thought he was nuts. One of them water poured out of when we tipped it sideways, where the fuel pump was busted off it. Who's going to fix that?

But a good, clean block aught to be worth the $25 all day, if you don't want to use 'em they're good trading material.

 

Sounds like a good deal but it's usually cheaper in the end if you buy a complete motor rather than piecing one (or three) together.

 

after re-reading your original post , i see you say "blocks".....as in bare blocks? no crank,rods,pistons, heads? if they are bare blocks with no main caps in the proper order they are just worth scrap price

 

Save all of the old stuff you can get your hands on. I've never heard anyone tell me that they are glad they passed on old engines>>>>.

 

57 Chevy restored is one of the hottest items on the market these days and they just happen to require a 283. 283 in any condition is worth a lot to the serious collector.

 

Hey RUSTEE, Newyorker is right, some 283s are junk, check bottom of bores. ones that have taper at that point are good for Stroking. Mortec has all info on block #s Good luck 52 csb

 

just blocks I would shy away from unless all caps and such were marked.........if your talking short blocks then I say snatch them up if they look buildable.

FWIW,I made a trade years ago for a pulled 305 that was said to only be smoking when it was pulled out,and I gave the guy a set of rear wheels in trade so neither of us lost anything really BUT once I got it home on a hunch I removed the heads and found a piston sitting cocked in the block,and twisted in the hole also. The 305 I was going to place into a car I was getting rid of and removing the 350 in it before doing so. if you get them or inspect them know what your looking at so you dont get burned.

 

if no main caps thats a bit of a bitch but oh well, when i build amotor its gets the full teatment at the machine shop anyway. they are good performers if done up right.

 

I don't know about the worth, I've had an add in the classifieds here and local and no firm bites but a bunch of low ball offers.

 

They are great motors ! High nickel content. Hold up real well as far as punishment.

 

I just picked up a complete (except for exhaust manifolds) 283 from a 39K mile 67 farm truck for $100. I thought that was too cheap not to grab it up. If that helps at all.

 

You can build one hell of a high winder with one, I would grab um up....................

 

Is 301 the big new thing now??

 

No....alot of older rods and customs were punched to 301's back in the day....

I'd grab them..esp for 75 bucks hell you can drink that up in one night atleast you have 3 to show for..

 

Only if it is still 1959.

 

I give them to a guy named Art . He is a member local stick shift racers club. He will not run anything but these motors in his race car. His altered wheelbase Hornet is touching in the 10's

if you wanna pass on these I will take them for Art. I have family in Ga. will be coming down soon.

Thanks Russ

 

well, i sold a complete one WITH a saginaw 3 speed for 75 bucks monday.
tired of tripping over it....

 

mr haney haha thats what my friends do for me up here, they find one they let me know about it or snag and trade me some crap for them. i have 5 283s lined up and waiting and always want more

 

Just bought one with a C.I. power gluid for 50.00...I love the chevy script valve covers too

 

I know this is old but where the hell do you find a 283 engine for 50 or 100 bucks?! I've been trying to find a running one on craigslist but they want alot for them...i have a 283 in my implala now but its blown

 

I purposely sought out a 55-57 front mount small block for my A pickup. Scored a complete 265 core first, then came across a 30 over 57 283. Sold the 265 and made a few bucks to boot.

 

fun little engine. i'd love to put one in my 59 elky.

 

the fact that most of the 283s have a Steel 3" stroke crankshaft in them make it tough to buy for 50-100 bucks >>>>.

 

I have had a one year only 57 283 block (no side mounts) and .060 pistons up for sale as a package off and on over the past couple of years. I get offers on the pistons but no one seems to want this block. I've even offered free shipping to the Lone Star Roundup, NSRA Nationals, and Springfield, MO. No interest. I'd take it salvage but it is a rare piece and I keep thinking someone will want it someday. Who knows.

 

I'd take a 283 over a 350 every day of the week. Not sure why, but a 283's exhaust rumble even sounds better than a 350's.