Converting my SBC 283 to a 327 what do I need to do.

I have a 283 and have just recently acquired a 327 crank shaft.
What else do I need to build this engine to a 327?

It is an early engine with no bolt holes in the front edge of the heads and the heads have the single up side down Vee shape.

 

Get a different block...the 327 shares the same bore as a 350 4" where the 283 has a 3.875" bore.I do not think you can safely bore that block to 4".
You can put the 327 crank in a 283 block as along as it is the small journal crank which would make it a 307.

 

Some of the old 283 blocks will take a .125 overbore but you'll have to have it sonic tested to see for sure. We used to do it all the time when turning 283s into 301s. You'll also need to buy 327 pistons. It can be done but make sure the block will take it and that the crank is a small journal crank.

 

I think you can bore it to 4" safely

 

i think you might have to cut the counter weights on the 327 crant to fit in the 283 block....

 

heres some forged 327pistons for pretty cheep...... http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Garage-Sale-Arias-327-Small-Block-Chevy-Pistons,5088.html .....

 

Not all 283 blocks will take a 327 crank. 1962 and newer blocks will. Look at the bottom of the cylinders, (inside the crankcase), if the block is dished in this area the 327 crank will fit without any problems, (if it is a small journal crank). 1961 and earlier blocks won't work, because the 327 counterweights won't clear the bottom of the block. I've read that turning down the counter weights on the 327 crank will cause balancing problems.

 

i agree with nhbandit, we used to make 301 cubic inches all the time, 60 and earlier blocks are thicker and no problem, 61 up blocks are thinner and a little touchier on big bore, ihave run the later block with 301 inches some cracked some did not

 

I would not waist my time. you are not gaining anything by doing that. If you have a large journal crank Find a 350 block. They are cheap and you can find one anywhere.

 

Or get a block that isn't maxed out at 4" to start with, a cheapie crank from a 307 and voila, 327 for low dough. Then you can spend money where it counts.... better heads.

 

you are if he wants a 327....

 

327 and 350 shared blocks, with the 302 also. Don't waste your money on a "327" block unless you are going for a numbers matching resto. get a 2 bolt main 350, splay the caps, and spend your money on heads that will make it worth your while.

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

3970010....302.....69....4...Z-28 Camaro
3970010....327.....69....2...Trucks and industrial
3970010....350...69-80...2 or 4</pre>

 

well said 53 sled.

 

Boy that is a lot of opinions to take in.
I guess I will flip the engine while it is still on the stand and take a look at the journals etc and check year numbers.

Thanks so far anything else will still be appreciated.

Since I am a newbie to this kind of work, I assume I need to be looking for a cam, rods and pistons????

I am mostly just chasing a few extra cubic inches without going overboard on a trick build.
Extra torque would be the best out come for me.

 

Post the casting numbers off the block & the crank & we can tell you what you have. The early small journal cranks used rods with smaller rod bolts as well. Something else to consider. Getting a 4 bolt main 350 block would be a better starting point if you're planning on any kind of decent power although we did get some good power out of the older stuff, they are weaker.

 

327s are great motors. I like them better than any other mild small block. They are the best high mileage cruiser in my opinion. I think 283s are a bit torqueless and 350s seem to sip a little more fuel. I would agree with the recomendation to just build one out of a 307 crank and a 350. trade or sell that 283 block. it's more trouble than it's worth to ruin it by boring it to the point of a thin walled hot running motor, when for less trouble you could have just built a cooler running large journal version for a street car. if your goin to build a high revving drag race only, block filler job, then just do your thing. good luck. btw the 283's you can overbore are from 59 to 62.

Henry

 

The early 327 small-journal blocks (2.30") do not interchange with the 350 blocks which are all large-journal (2.45").

Only the '68 327 blocks are large-journal like the 350. The early '67 302s are small journal 2-bolt main, later ones are large-journal 4-bolt main.

I would suggest running the small-journal 327 crank in your 283 block and boring it .060 to get a 316-inch engine. All 283 blocks are small-journal. Your piston choice may be limited to cast oversize 307 pistons.

The later 283 blocks will accept the 327 crank without any issues. When the first 327s were being offered back in '62 the crankcase area on the 283s also shared the same inside dimensions as the 327.

 

sell all that stuff off and find a nice 327 or 350 to start with. yep its been done but with way less effort you get way more in the power and ease end of things. or for the same money to build what you were thinking you could buy a nice 383 rotating assembly and go to town and have a shit ton of bottom end and nice firm top end power.

just my .02

 

my advice: if you want a 283 build what you have , if you want a 327 get a 327..if you want a 350...well you can see where this is going

boring 283's to 4" is risky business. yeah, some blocks are better than others , but with 40+ years of corrosion who knows

 

all points above are correct. I LOVE small journal chevs, swapping between different cubic inch engines can be a major undertaking though. I say keep the 283 crank, bore it .040, use a good (not necessarily expensive) cam, port the heads and run the urine out of it.

 

Well the advice is sinking in slowly and I am starting to sway towards get what I need from the start rather than trying to make something out of what I dont have.
Mostly because I am not so much of an engine guy to start with.
Any way here is what I have which will at least let me know where I stand for now.

 

Here are the rest of the pic's that may assist in any detailed info about this engine.

Note the hump on the front of each head!!!

I was told this engine came out of an early Pontiac, but who knows???

 

Is that intake aluminum?
I've also never seen valve covers like that--stamped, but with no "Chevrolet" script across them.

-Brad

 

If you NEED more cubic inches get a 350. You can still find them in junk yards, but they're becoming scarce too. If you don't really need more inches, just rebuild the 283. Go .020 or .030 over, add some aftermarket hydraulic cam-Crane is good, 4 barrel on alum intake-carter afb is good or multi carbs and you got a neat little engine that will get you where you're going, and sound and look good. The early engines came thru with steel cranks, but even the cast crank later engines are good. Besides, at least in my area, (northern NJ), 283 engines are acquiring an "old engine status" and are considered neat to have!

 

PS-It was easy enough to put a chevy engine in a lemans-the frame is pretty much the same as a chevelle. Just change the engine braces on the front cross member to chevelle, and the engine goes right in. Done it many times to build a "sleeper" street machine back in the 60"s. Holes were already drilled in crossmember-easy bolt in!

 

All this trouble for a 327?

Bah!

Drop a 350 into the car, dress it up to look like a 327, and put 327 badges on the fenders.

 

Just going from memory here, but from the valve cover holes being offset, and not straight across from each other I would say you probably have a 265 there.

 

They are early 265 and I think 283. I have a set of them with the offset holes like that. That appears to be a nice, fairly complete, early engine. I would rebuild it like it is (regardless of cid.) and be proud of it.

 

I have definitely heard of a 283 being bored up to at least .120, but like they said it depends on the block so get it checked.

 

Intake manifold is cast iron or at least not aluminum.

Valve covers are as it came.

Iam starting to think this engine is a very early one.
No reason, just a hunch from what I am starting to hear.