<HR style="COLOR: #e5e5e5; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e5e5e5" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and ***le --> <!-- message -->ok, so im new in here since my neighbor recommended this i thought id try it out. ive got a 61 chevy apache 1/2ton thats got a 6 cylinder (235). and now me and my dad are looking for an upgrade, we were lookin at maybe putting a split exhaut manifold and a dual intake or and intake for a 4 bbl, something as such but talking to my neighbor, we kinda figured out it would take some building up of the motor to do this, and we mentioned that we have a 283 sitting in the garage. my neighbor said it just may be cheaper to rebuild the 283 that to upgrade the 6 cylinder.. any thoughts or recommendations? and whats a good setup for the 283, ive read many threads about people really enjoying their 283's, wouldnt mind enjoying mine too, suggestions??
I had a 283 with a mild cam, 194 heads, edelbrock torker manifold and a 600 Holley in my '58 Apache and I loved the hell out of that truck. It did everything I needed it to do. I'd run a 283 if I had one just sitting in the garage. Larry
I rebuilt my '53 235 a little over a year ago, and I won't lie I probably should have just bought a 283 and built it up slightly as I wouldn't have spent so much money. Don't get me wrong, I love my 235 and my main reason for rebuilding it was the ease of putting it back in. I had it bored 30 over, and future plans include split manifold and a 2x intake. Had I known then what I know now however, I would have picked up a later 235 or even a 261. But if I were to do it again...or if I do need to do it again in the time that I own my '53, I'd probably do a 283.
I'll chime in for the straight 6, ***uming it's in good shape. If not, then the following is moot. Yes, the motor build might might....might...be cheaper to rebuild, but you also have to consider all the parts that won't transfer over - bellhousing and crossmember specifically come to mind, but I'd imagine you'll also have to wrestle with trans/clutch linkage and exhaust too. In terms of reliability, ***uming that you guys have the original '61 vintage motor (and not an earlier babbit motor), those old Stovebolts were good for lotsa miles. Besides, 6's are cool!
I've got a '62 Suburban, that had the 283 in it. I don't know if you'll have to change the bellhousing or not...that truck uses a bellhousing that mounts to ears on the frame. I see these bells A LOT at swap meets, so it shouldn't be a problem if you find out you do have to change the bellhousing. Exhaust is easy. The front motor mount: You should have a cradle at the front of the engine that mounts to an ear on the front of the cross member. I'm 95% sure that cradle is the same for 283s--mine had two different sets of mounting holes, one lines up with the front bosses on the small block, the other holes are unused. My guess is, those other holes mount to the front of an inline 6. The cradle then mounts on a rubber biscuit, with holes in the cross member for the V8; It's the same rubber as used on the 6, just moved back a few inches. Clutch linkage will all be the same, as it's a hydraulic clutch. Throttle linkage may be different. If it were mine, I'd rebuild the 283; cheaper, a little more power...there's a reason small block Chevys are in everything. An inline can be a cool looking engine, no doubt, but unless you've got a car you want to have a specific theme or reason for a straight 6, go with the small block. Especially if they were originally available in it. And, get yourself a factory shop manual. It'll help with things a WHOLE lot. They have lots of pictures, so you'll see how things go together. Common on ebay--it's where I got mine (PERFECT shape, original, only $7, so deals are there). Also, there's a lot of info on stovebolt.com. Great truck--enjoy it. -Brad
The decision should be made by asking yourself "what do I want when I'm finished" I've got two ole chevy trucks with 6 poppers in them, but I don't cruise on the HiWay, I don't smoke the tires, I don't win any street races or go very fast.---I just kruze with the pipes crack'in You can get a 6 to haul--but for performance vs cost--- go with the 283
I would go with the 283 you will get the same fuel economy with lots more fun. You will need a v8bell or a bell from a 63 up six the clutch release is on the p*** side with hyd clutch. I would just get 63 to 66 mechanical linkage and the 63 to 66 frame type front motor mounts. The trans and radiator will work on the v8.You will need a different starter nose yours has two bolts V8 and later sixes have 3 bolts on the nose. The 235 six front motor mount wont work with a V8. I had a 61 that we changed over to a V8 we liked it better.OldWolf
My 283 ('63 Belair) had 194 heads, a 4-barrel manifold, 465 holley and a cam outta a 350. The stock 350 cam in a 283 acts like a "big" cam, and it had this cool-*** idle lope that made it creep forward in little jerks when your foot was on the brake just softly. Sounded sooo *****in. It was hooked to a hard-shifting TH350 and it used to chirp the tyres on 1st-2nd shift. Amazing for so few cubes.
run the 283 i say! i love those little motors, i take them and make 301's of of them and run the dogsnot out of them up to 7500rpm. they are really fun little powerhouses when built right.
I'm doing a 283 right now and I'm finding that the parts are a little harder to get and cost a bit more than some other small blocks, not that it's a real big deal. 283 engine kit is about $125 more than a 350, but still way cheaper than some of the oddball engines out there. I'd prefer the 283 but one thing to be aware of is that believe it or not the old 6 will have more torque when you get it right down there and lug it.
I pulled the 235 from my '59 1/2 ton because the 'thrift'master wasn't very thrifty on fuel. the 283 I slid in was a BONE STOCKER from a '58 2 ton truck and the mileage is better. The 2bbl is more than enough and it's still fun. my experience.
I would do the 6 and upgrade the trans to a T-5 and get a better gear for the freeway. You get the great looks of a well built 6 and can actually drive on the expressway if you want.
If you want to have fun driving it, go with the 283. My 56 Chevy is a lot more fun to drive with the 350/4 speed then the 6 cylinder 3 speed it came with.
As I mentioned in your thread about what to do for extra money to support this new habit of yours, you've got to decide on what you want, a Cruzer, or something that will somewhat get you down the road a step up from a 6 banger, but less than a blown super sized motor. Remember, you will probably be running with a hood on that, so all the super duper cool stuff is going to be out of sight. Most, but not all of the stuff wanted by rodders and run by rodders back in 61 was V8's. The 6 bangers were cool if you were running up to maybe up to 1956. While you're running around right now with your 6 banger, you'll have time to acquire all the stuff you'll need to make the switch over. In the mean time, you won't be without a ride. Most everyone here takes a year or more to acquire all the stuff. (Took me 5 years to get the stuff for my 40 coupe before I could put that one together the way I wanted, but when build time came, I had everything). While you're acquiring running gear stuff, you can be working on body work and learning how to do stuff there. A little 283 is bullet proof. Those little short strokes will take a beating. You can do a lot more with them as far as hopping them up on a budget more than you can with a 6 banger. . You'd probably outlast the motor. Most of all, make a plan and stick with it. HellRaiser
Keep the six... add dual carbs, and rebuild the trans if its a three speed. I blew the six in my 57 due to it popping out of gear on the freeway. With 3.88 gears in the rear and the six I could 65-70 on the freeway with realitive ease... yes it was wound up but is doable. The 283 may swap in easily, but the six just looks better. I replaced mine with a bigblock and have not liked the looks as much since. Good Luck, Seth
you can also up grade to a 250,292 If you wanted to keep it a L6. and parts are easier to get for those then your 235. The 250 can use the sb 307 pistons. Roller rocker for a BB chevy will also work even if they are a 1.7 were as the 194,230,250 ,292 use a 1.75.
I have both the 283ci V8 and a 235ci L6 laying around my garage. I honestly could not say which is better, as I like them both. I would have to agree that bang per buck, that is cost per maximum horse power, the 283 is going to have more power and probabley get better feul economy. Never the less, I would still champion using the L6 as they are just so freakin cool with a multi carb set up. Cool truck though. I would like to get one too.
Got a 283 in my truck. 327 crank. I think that makes it a 307. Comp cams 270, a little too big but wtf it pulls good. Got aluminum heads (don't tell anyone here they are painted orange). One of the best motors chevrolet ever built.
Bens on a budget and has a recently rebuilt six in the truck already. This is already a driving truck so I say go with the six and do the exhaust and intake you like best to save money. Fix everything you need to fix on the truck cause that will eat into your funds. When your done if you need more power we'll help put a smallblock in the truck. Now does anyone know where to get split exhaust and a dual intake or four barrel intake for the 235 chevy? Ben, dont be afraid to ask questions there a **** load of guys here that can give excellent advise. Guys Ben is just a young lad trying to help find the most affordable way to help him and his dad try to restore this truck.
haha yea im def. not affraid to ask questions thats for sure, ive talked to some people already, and gotten some good advise, some not so good lol wtf is this young lad stuff??? lol well i guess i shouldnt look forward to gettin old, so ill take it
Do the six, don't do the cookie cutter small block. sixes have more character, and nothing comes close to there unique sound. trust me.
"Bens on a budget and has a recently rebuilt six in the truck already. This is already a driving truck so I say go with the six and do the exhaust and intake you like best to save money. Fix everything you need to fix on the truck cause that will eat into your funds. When your done if you need more power we'll help put a smallblock in the truck. Now does anyone know where to get split exhaust and a dual intake or four barrel intake for the 235 chevy?" Patricks Vintage Speed Equipment in Chandler Arizona Is where I ordered the Fenton Split Exhaust Headers for my ole Chevy with a 216ci. I looked'em up on line and called for a catolog. It took a while for them to send it but it was well worth the wait. They also have a nice selection of Flathead Ford speed equipment available. Just ask them for their catologs. I'm pretty sure they're in Chandler, Az. Michelle
Oops; not enough info. Correction to my correction: Casa Grande, Az. (520)-836-1117 www.patricksantiquecars.com
Keep the six. More fun and way cool. First corvettes were the same engine BTW. Three sidedrafts work nice on the early six. Corvair turbo carbs would work very well as do SUs I had a customer with a 39 chevy coupe. For years he had a 305 in it. He told me "everytime I go to a show i see people walking towards my car and when they see the smallblock they just turn and walk on." (Not because there is anything wrong with a small block C, just because it has been overdone) He asked if i could build him a 6 cylinder that would work as well. i said yes. i did a 250 since the car was already set up with a late model autotrans etc. He bought a twin carb and split manifold. I did the 307 piston in the 250 block deal with a set of 1.84 intake valves, about 4 hours of porting and a three angle valve job. A comp cams was what i choose for a bumpstick with early Z28 valve springs. I planed the head here on the mill. 040 as well. He says and that is him saying it , not me, that is has more power and gets better fuel milelage than the 4bbl 305 ever thought of giving. He says he get rubber in all three gears (350 turbo trans) , I have seen him give it a good schreech myself. my bill including suppying the motor was $1960.00 plus tax and I made money on it lest anyone be tempted to suggest building 6s is expensive, it isnt. I have a friend who is into the early sixes to and he has a 56 Pontiac 6 with twin carbs and a bit of work. he is still smiling too. They are a lot of fun.Cheap to build and not the usual belly****on look. People love them . Have done the big three in 6 cylinders Ford , Chevy and have my own slant6 rail. I would encourage you to go for it. Beside your bellhousing wont fit a V8 anyway. ;>)
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