Hello, Picked up an “original 57’ 283” runner for a side project today. Saw video of it running before the guy pulled it and it sounded good, although hard to tell real well over the gear drive. Anywho, supposedly it was the original motor out of a 57’ Chevy. Came with (what I now believe to be) Summit Dart Iron Eagle 165cc 72cc 2.02/1.60 heads based on the part numbers (10021010). 1.5 roller rockers, performer manifold and Edelbrock AVS-2 4 barrel carb. Not sure what cam it has but has a very mild lope to it. I ran the numbers on the block (3932338)and got a few results of 62-68’ 283 or 68’ and up. The stamped engine code on the front pad is CE883817. From what I can tell, this may be a replacement block or? Does this sound about right for a 283 or could it be something else. Doesn’t have side motor mount options. Would these heads be a bit too big cc wise for a 283? Trying to get an idea of what I may have before I start opening things up.
No side mounts = 265 or very early 283 post a pic of it and the numbers 72cc heads? I guess would depend on the piston used. Power pack beads were around 58cc. Flat tops would have some low comp numbers.
From what I've been taught about a 283, compression is all they have going in their favor. If you put a bigger combustion chamber on them, or a camshaft with too much overlap, you have a complete pig on your hands.
That block number is a 56-67 283. No side mounts make it early. CE stamping means Counter Engine, CE8**** means 1968. Kinda odd to me that a replacement engine sold in 68 wouldn’t have used the later side mount casting. But that’s what I come up with. Those heads won’t make much low rpm power. Edit: now that you’ve added pics, it has side mounts, just not machined. So yeah, 68 Counter Engine
Rule number one with small block Chevys do your homework ahead of time and don't let the bullshit artists feed you a load. Still unless you are looking for a "correct" 57 283 to put in a 57 Chevy there is nothing special about a 57 engine except about 5 extra bubba points. Thinking back to my teen age years when the camel hump 202 heads showed up it seems that under a certain bore size you had to relieve the tops of the cylinder bores a bit for valve clearance for the 202 valves. That and as Anthony said, with flat tops you end up with pretty low compression and that setup usually would run some pretty serious domed pistons with those heads. With 900+ tied up in heads and a gear drive you have to wonder what is inside that engine.
Maybe It’s a way over bored, dome topped 301 or wonder if someone offset ground the crank. That would be cool My neighbor talked about building small strokers out of the early 283s
Goal was to get a 283. Nothing specific year wise but a runner was a plus for an early style SBC. Guy was yanking it for an LS swap and motor was mostly complete carb to pan. But the numbers were kind of throwing me for a loop.
And to answer your last question... Depending on the cam, and the rpm that the thing was designed to go (cam, carburetor size(s), gear ratio, car weight, etc.), the heads might be a good fit. Just check the seats, lap or grind as necessary and run them. Mike
What are these? [they are side mount bosses] 1957 Blocks have the casting number 3731548 and can be either 265 or 283 [they were bored extra at the factory] Here is a correct 3731548 block , there is no bosses to drill for side mounts 57's had "Banana Shields" for the plug wires that went behind the Ramshorn exhaust , and do not fit onto blocks with side mounts.
From the Chevy Camaro site: From Chevy-Camaro.com The casting number 3932388 was only used in 1969 and is rare because not many cars much less Camaro's got this block casting number that are known. The book Chevrolet By the Numbers 1965-69 says this engine was put in 1969 passenger cars and Camaro's. Their notes say this: "Very little is known about this block". It seems that most blocks were Tonawanda cast and built, but some Norwood assembled Z28's used this block with Flint-produced engines. From all indications the block is identical to #3932386. It has been found in Passenger cars with the 350/300hp engine suffix code stamping. At least four SS 350 and at least two Z28 Camaros were built with this block, with casting dates ranging from L 20 8 to C 11 9. At least one Camaro was built it September 1969 with this block. Other cars could have received this rare block, but it is unknown which or why. Most #3932388 blocks are dated from September to December 1968." We have apparently had all (and then some) of the Camaro owners, according to Chevrolet By the Numbers 1965-69, of this block casting to email us about it. The problem is there are no exact numbers as to how many cars had this block casting number. The block doesn't have any special features that sets it off from the rest that would make it any more desirable than other blocks from that time period though.
Man there is a ton of miss information on the web. Several sites indicate that 3932338 casting number is 56-67 283. On the bell housing flange just right of that casting number is? a casting date 4 digit code. Might shed some light. Side mount casting detail, not drilled, maybe middle of those years? Stamped 3 letter suffix is a more specific indicator, but with that missing on this block with the CE prefix gives credence to the previously stated over the counter or replacement type origin. With the rocker covers off, a degree wheel and dial indicator you can get pretty accurate cam specs. Billet rockers, while not definitive do indicate the intensions of the builder. With a wrench on the lifter nuts you can tell if the lifters are hydraulic or solid. If they are solid you will want to gap them properly. A bore scope in the spark plug hole will get a good look at the piston face, domed = high compression. Dart heads are another indicator of builder intensions. Can't stand the mystery? Pull the pan and take some measurements. Bottom line, leave it whole and if it has good oil pressure at cranking speeds, just run it. High compression / big cam will not idle well, will be sluggish below ~2250 rpm and will ping on low octane fuel.
Here is a correct 3731548 block , there is no bosses to drill for side mounts View attachment 5739295 I wonder if they all came with painted spark plugs? That just had to add some additional horsepower . . . .
Pulled the plugs and rotated it. Looks to be flat top pistons with reliefs. When I get more time, I’ll see if I can’t get a rough idea of the cam and kind of see if I can get a ballpark idea of what is going on. Didn’t really want to tear it apart, but if I have to, I guess I’ll be out a gasket set worst case. Maybe I can recoup the loss selling the power glide? Like Mr48Chev said, the pre-previous owner put some money into it. Hate to think the or-previous owner was just throwing parts at it just to throw parts at or for the kewl factor
The engine was just assembled and painted If you can come up with a better way to mask the plug holes please feel free to post a "How-To" in the tech section Even the fuel pump in the photo was incorrect , it was a 65 model used to trial fit the hard fuel lines Spray painting everything in sight , is more "historically correct" than the pedantic period correct restorations on "Show Queens" He is a photo of some 57 engines taken at GM [note no side mounts] These Engines are "F" Code 283's [2 Barrel Auto Trans] 57 Chevy's with 265 Engines [same 3731548 casting] were painted in calf-shit yellow [Chartreuse] And were only available with 2 Barrel with manual trans [with O/D and H/D clutch options] @badshifter The 265 codes were C , CD , and CE [CE was 265 2 Barrel with H/D Clutch, not "counter engine"] But Folklore and Legend can distort this on Craigslist [CE now means "Corvette Engine" ] The 3932338 Casting number should be 1962 - 67 283 These engines have a "scalloped lower bore" that can accept a 327 crank without crank clearance issues. [early 283's cannot]
Flat top pistons is a good sign it was not built as a all out high compression race engine. With the good lope heard while running it sounds like a good one for the street. Did you hear any lifter clatter ? If none or minimal it likely has hydraulic lifters. Another sign of a good street engine. It sounds like it fits the OP's bill / desires, I'd say it is a good buy, be happy
@$500 I’m not upset about the purchase by any means. The cam is very mild, I assume, but I’ll look into that. The numbers and lack of drilled side mounts were of some concern but the date code confirms 68’ like bad shifter had pointed out. I was just surprised such large heads were put on a 283 and was a little worried considering. I’ll get it up on a stand an start playing with it a bit.
The spec's listed above on the Dart heads are very close to factory double hump "Fuelie" heads, common on the factory fuel injected engines from 57 to mid? 60's so I'd say of no concern. It will breath well. For $500, a very good purchase
If you're going to pull the heads, you might be able to use thinner head gaskets for a compression bump. More compression is generally more torque .
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