I have decided to make my 51 more of a driver, distance, etc. Im going MII in the front and 4 linking the rear. The 216 just aint getting it done, I want to drive the friggin wheels of the thing so Im going V8 with an auto.....I dont want a race car just a smooth running motor that can run on the freeway, so Im thinking 283 or a 327... What's anyones thoughts? Set ups, etc. Thanks Will
Sinner, At the risk of havin' a bunch of **** shoveled on me ,why not a 350? The older engines are getting harder to find, or as reliable as a fresh outta the box 350. Or even a 4.3 V-6 would make a nice driver. Toss in about any automatic and you have a easy cruise beast. Normal Norman
Your absolute best bet would be to purchase a donor car. That way you have EVERYTHING you'll need to do the swap - stuff you won't even realize you needed or wanted to make the swap easier. I learned this the hard way when I changed my V6 Chevy truck over to a 350. It was a simple swap, but ate my *** in the end!
Are you planning on running the stock transmission or upgrading the entire drive train. I'd go with a GM performance 350 crate motor. About $1,700 I think and you can not build one for that. With gas prices the way they are a 700R-4 or T5 makes a lot of sense. Ch***is Engineering and Walton Fabrications both sell everything you need to make this come together.
Entire drive line will be done, My best friend builds rear ends, axles, etc, another does drive shafts, so those are no problems. I can get a 283 with about 5,000 miles on the rebuild for a couple hundred$$ .. so thats rolling around in my head.... As far as a transmision, was thinking t350........
283 considerations,,,, Unleaded fuel, 283'3 were ment to run on LEADEd fuel. Cylinder head acessory bolt holes on the ends of the heads, 283's did not have them,,could pose a problem if you want AC. alt and PS brackets from a 1968 and newer chevy v8 will not work,, you wil need 1967 and older stuff. dito for most 327's. A 305 will be set up for leaded gas and will have all the extra bolt holes in the end of the head. typically 305's are dirt cheap.
Sounds like the 283 is a good deal...especially if you know it's a runner. That'll save you a little time and get you back on the road sooner. I think a T-5 would be cool behind that mill, but I understand you gotta work with what's available. I also think Goztrider nailed it...if you can, buy a whole car. I bought a '79 Camaro for $300...took the TH350, the driveline, the rear-end, every bracket I could find, and the whole brake system...gave my friend the 350 and the sellable parts as payment for helping me cut the ***** up (I had already built an engine for my car), and then sold the clip for $300. If that's an option for ya, it'll save you a ton of cash. Just my dos centavos. Good luck with the swap. Bryan
Thanks guys, my gut tells me to go with the best available mill where parts are a dime a dozen, thus a 350....but seems every "street" rod out there goes that route..... A donor car would make a bunch of sence......I guess Ill see what comes up and go from there....
If you're gonna do Overdrive Automatic, think about a 200R4, they're tough and have a slightly better OD gear.
Honestly the average Joe Schmo won't know or care about the difference between a 283 305 327 350 or the like. MII is a noce way to go. A friend here in town just did one in his 54 as well as 4 link in the rear and it is killer. Not too sure how similar they are, but it might help. Whatever you do you better have it done for July god dammit.
Well, the plans are for a re-do of the car come next winter....frame off....not showy, but the ch***is will be detailed...... Ill be banging around on the 6 till then ..... I hope
You better be. It sounds like a good plan if you wanna drive it til the doors fall off. I don't have any personal experience, but I can;t say anything bad about the idea.
If you are interested in highway cruising and fuel economy I'd suggest a 305 over a 283 or a 327. The longer stroke (3.48" vs 3.00" for a 283 and 3.25" for a 327)) will make more torque at a lower rpm using a 700-R4 or a 200-4R into a 3.36 or higher rear axle. One of Edelbrock's smaller Thunder series AFB type 4 barrel carbs is specifically calibrated for fuel economy when cruising on the idle circuit but yet have good response when you kick it. I went to Edelbrock's website for guidance about selecting a carb to suit my own needs and have been very happy with my 20 mpg 305 and a non-overdrive trans.
Slowand Low....I think once I get the gas pedal linkage sorted out...it should at least not be such a pain to drive......hopefully Wednesday Ill have it worked out....it seems to run alright, but I cant see myself driving any distance with it....but if it seems like it will go...Ill grab the slow lane to where ever... Thanks Moonglow...... Sounds good...Im not looking to pull the wheels off the ground...just get to freeway speed and be reliable for the long haul....
Definitely use the 283. The th350 is cheap and bulletproof behind a stock 283, wonderful choice if you wanna use an automatic. However, if fun and driveability is where it's at, consider a complete T5 from bellhousing thru tailshaft out of an 85-92 camaro or firebird with a 305. Overdrive and stick shift, that's what driving it to death is all about! Should you skip the 283 and go the 305 parts car route, again look at 3rd gen camaro. Several years you could get a TBI 305 with a T5, and that system is easy to swap with it's 15psi fuel requirement and throttle body that fits under a traditional air cleaner. good luck!
You could always go with the 331 stroker in the 305.... I'm thinking 400 crank in the 305 engine... ::shrugs::
keep it simple 283. turbo 350 and a tall rear gear. get the car on the road and then later on you can up grade.
Don't discount using a more modern straight six, either! 250, even a 292, will sound great, be different and get good mileage. I'm running a 292 with a 5 speed in my 46 Chevy.
Thanks for all the ideas guys, I ended up grabbing the 283..I just didnt think I could go wrong for a $150.. for a good running clean motor. It wont go in the car until the winter rip down, so I can collect up some cool parts...Funny thing is, I dont have any chevy 8 parts...I was always a Pontiac / Olds kind of guy... Whats a cool intake/setup? I need somethinga bit cooler than a single 4bbl
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