Featured Hot Rods Heavy Duty truck 283 differences?

My son has taken the glorious first step toward building his own traditional hot rod. He ran out and bought an engine without consulting his old dad, when he showed up with a very rough-looking 283, I was sure someone had scammed him. But once we started cleaning it up the boy did good, it's worn but still standard bore—so it should clean up and build nicely.

Question: this 283 was originally green? Casting code is 58-62 and it came from a truck. A little research says its a Taskmaster 283 - Heavy Duty. I cant find any info other than the heads were different (no worry I have a fresh pair of power packs) bearings and balanced. Found a comment about the blocks being thicker?
Anyone know about these?

 

I’d ask @squirrel

 

Sounds like the kid did good

 

Post the codes stamped on top of the block, in front of the p*** side head. Then we'll know what size truck it came from. Post the casting date code, which is on the back of the block, smaller letter/numbers in the same area as the casting number, usually on the other side. The truck parts books list all of these, I have the books, and they're not on the internet that I'm aware of.

I the parts books also list every part of the engines, that were used in cars and trucks, so you can compare what was different, and what was the same.

 

Thanks - Same specs as a Taskmaster - maybe the green paint makes it tougher? lol

 

Here's what I have with my. casting 3756519 I think thats 58-62? I'll need to dig for the other numbers
The front (suffix code?) is F42CN - I'm lost on that one

 

Not sure on that particular 283 but the 350s we messed with in larger trucks had different intake. The thermostat housing and byp*** was different. The 2bbls used large base carbs.
They were basically a slightly lower compression 350 with extra cooling and a heavier or different dampener set up
The cranks were forged.

 

58-62 block.
Might be a good 301 candidate

 

F 420 N

Flint, April 20th ***embly date, suffix N

Three digit date codes were used until some time in the late 50s, when they added a leading zero, such as F0420N.

The truck book lists the N suffix for the 5000 (later L50) series trucks, 1957-61.

Since the casting is listed as 58-61, you could check to see if it has side mount holes, to rule out it being from 57. The casting date will tell you for sure, though, what year it is.

I'll go look in the shop to see if the other manual lists specs for them.

 

Thanks for the quick info! Id does have side mounts - tonight I'll get some more numbers.

 

Here's the casting date code on a 57 block, it's near the top of the bellhousing area, opposite side from the casting number. (yeah, I have a 57 block on my engine stand today)



Here are the specs for the truck 283, both LD and HD. I think LD was used up to the 1 ton, and HD was 1.5 ton and larger.



and here are for the 1958 car engine



This is from the brochure for 1959 80 series trucks, explaining some of the differences with the heavy duty engine. I don't know if this applies to the 50s series, I don't have that brochure, unfortunately.

 

One reason the date of the engine might matter, is that the rear main seal design changed around 1959. Earlier engines used a rope seal, that fit into a slot. Later engines use a rubber seal, that fits over a ridge. There is a rubber seal available to replace the rope seal, but it's a relatively hard to find part, I think Best Gaskets sells them.

Also, during 1959, the valve covers and heads changed from having staggered bolt pattern, to straight across.

 

Squirrel this is great info - not seeing a lot of difference other than the compression between the LT and HD.

 

Good information about the seals. Thanks squirrel. I’ve got a 58 that will probably need new seals.

 

Best Gasket make a seal that replaces the rope seal
3711X is the part number for early 265-283's

 

283 truck motor my kid picked up had a hub on the crank snout instead of a damper.

 

pretty common for early 283s to have a hub and not a real damper.

 

Chevrolet used Buick engines for their big trucks 55-57 and in 58-61 they used the 348.

 

283 was available up through the 8000 series in 58
235 through the 4000 series
261 6000 series
348 not listed in trucks for 58 1958-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf It shows as an option in 59.

 

According to an old Corvette Forum 3737739 is the 58/early 59 Casting number. 59 block casting # 3737739 vs. 3756519 - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Those guys are pretty nit picky on exact year model for such things.

In other news I'd think that outside of most likely needing that special replace the rope seal that is a pretty good candidate for a sweet 283 with A set of powerpacks and decent cam and intake.

 

well, if you want to get picky about it....

 

It would probably turn the kid into a 1/4 mile speed addict but the only numbers that really matter are 12.5/1, 301/4 speed.

 

The Green paint was most likely as super simple easy to spot identifier as the engine plant to know what engines were for the bigger truck line vs the orange of a p***enger/light duty truck. In the trunk load of 348/409 stuff I got, the 409 oil pan still had the original green paint peeking through under the red that it had been resprayed at some point.

Yeah, or if you can score a set of good 1.94 camel humps, as the machine shop cost if you have to build any set of heads will be roughly the same between a camel hump or a powerpack, might as well get the better core to start with.

Then with a simple C3B intake and like the good ol 097 Duntov or a L79 cam for a good simple traditional small block.

 

^^^^^^^^What he said^^^^^^^^^

 

Along with correct wheel weights

 

@squirrel Amazing info! Thanks for all your knowledge and sharing!
@KCTA Chris , sounds like the kid done good! You might send him out for another, he seems to have the gift.
Not my place to tell him or you what to do, but I think it would be cool to match up and repaint it the original Green. Gives him a cool back story when the car is done and at the local cruise or show. Sure beats the "yeah, it's a 'vette motor" tale.

 

Found the other number: D189
(1 could be a 7?)

 

He's a good kid so glad to see lady luck going his way.
Could be different being green maybe he will.
Unfortunately a low power truck engine doesn't sound as cool as a vette - but bored out with some compression is a different story! lol