I recently got a 57 210 with a seized up 283 powerpack motor. Been thinking of dumping the original motor and putting in a newer SBC. I've played with pretty much nothing but Fords and AMCs with the occasional Mopar all my life. The question I have is can I use the original PG trans and flex plate off the original motor and use it on something like a 87 305? I also would be curious to know if I could reuse the stock front motor mounts as well.
all blocks are drilled for the front mounts some blocks are extewrnely ballnaced not sure what other then 400 SBC
It's very possible! I'd tear down the 283 first and see what and why it siezed. You just might be able to rebuild the 283....
Yep, I'd look into saving that 283, getting hard to find here, I just let go of one and still kicking myself in the pants
Nothing wrong with 305 just put in 2102 cam and go Plus a 600 cfm carb ........Would be ok in a light vehicle .
Does it by chance have a wierd looking air-cleaner with a filter on the drivers side and another filter on the p***engers side?
No replacement for displacement, sell the 283 and buy a 350, (400 as long as you can keep it cool) your pg will bolt to allmost any small block, and most flywheels will mount to the pg's torque converter.
No air cleaner, at least it isn't on the carb. Might be in the trunk. The guy told me it was a powerpack motor but I have no idea to be honest. I haven't looked at it. What year range motor will the flexplate bolt to? I haven't bought any other motor.
? Explain that comment. If the crank runs a two piece rear seal the flexplate should bolt up. He has to run the power glide and converter to match though. Phil, if you have a complete later small block with a two piece rear seal everything should bolt up. There were a rare few blocks somewhere in the sixties or seventies that didn't have the holes drilled for the early front mounts but those are few and far between. The main reason outside of more power that guys say go with a 350 rather than a 305 especially if you need to redo it is that on the norm 350 internal parts are a lot less expensive. Think volume discount. But if you have access to a good running 305 that doesn't need work for a right price go for it. The haters will hate you either way for not spending your first born's college fund rebuilding the 283 to please them.
Much as I love the 283 Chevy, the 350 is a cheaper solution. Less money used, and less money to rebuild. You can buy a complete engine rebuild kit with all the pistons, rings, bearings and gaskets for a 350 around $220 from Summit Racing. They don't even sell a kit for the 283, and piecing all the same parts together will cost you 3x that.
Dont waste your time on a 305. Been there done that. For the same money you put into 305 you can get much more power out of a 350 for same price. I was very let down when i built a 305. Spent big bucks too. You might as well run that 283 if your gonna run a 305.
nothing wrong with using a 305 if it's cheap and easy for you. you are probably like alot of folks that are looking for the least amount of spent-coin/quickest route to getting you ride ready to drive. i just accquired a 47 ford that had previously been nova clipped,so it's already set-up for small chevy. i also picked up a 79 el camino (rotten-rusty in the tail,but great running driving) with a 305/turbo 350. previous owner installed a summit cam/lifters,edelbrock intake,remanned Q-jet and headers. i gave $300.00 for the car. am i sticking that measely 305 in my car? sure am,along with the trans,rear axle,wiring,column,etc. can i afford to buy/build a 434 stroker small block to put in it? sure can. would i? nope. car is gonna be a rat rod cruiser,not a screamer. i have a 72 440 powered roadrunner putting 494hp at the tires if i need to boil the tires off something. have fun with your 210,put in it what works for you (and your wallet/taste) and roll on brother...........
85 and back SBC will be a bolt in. A few motors did not have the holes drilled for the front motor mounts but the bossed are there and not a problem to drill and tap.
If it is original engine store it if you ever decide to sell car having original engines brings value up alot,as far as all the rants about the 305,why put money into a 305 to get as much power as a 350,pickup a 350,and drive. preferably earlier year 350.
Thanks, that was the information I was looking for. I don't really care about originality, the car is no creampuff. I just want a fun and reliable daily driver that I don't have to stick much money into. I've been looking for a ready to run motor. On average 305s seem to be cheaper and I would think a 305 would get a little better mileage than a 350. I did get the hood open today and the motor does have what looks to be an original four barrel carb on it so I think the guy was right about the motor being the powerpak version. The motor is indeed seized, might try freeing it up, sell the heads and the block.
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