Small Block Chevy info needed...GURUS chime in.

Hey guys.

I have an off topic project iv been working on for a while. It a 1974 Land Rover on a jeep frame, iv shortened and narrowed the frame to Rover specs. It currently has a 60's Chevy 283 backed by a Ford ****** and transfer case.

I want to update the motor to a Chevy 305 or a 350,,,whats the cut off year SBC I can use that will accept the 283 flywheel and current bell-housing? I just want swap over all of the drive line end of it and go.

Thanks.

Pete-

 

1955-1985 Small blocks all have the same crank to flywheel bolt circle, 3.85"
1986 and later use a 3" BC
400's use a different type for external balance
Bellhousing is the same on all years, and the same as Big Block

 

Don
Doesn't the 305 have a little piece of balance material in the flexplate/flywheel to compensate for the lump that is missing from the crank flange?

Edit damnit:
Never mind I just cracked a book, imagine that. One piece main seal cranks have the 3" BC and they also have a counter balanced flex plate or flywheel.

 

Sounds like I should just stick with a 350??? What year was the 305 introduced??

 

I am pretty sure you would want to use any sbc prior to 1986 except the 400. I think all sbc's from 86 on have the one piece main and the balance lump on the flywheel.

 

The 305 came out in 1976.Go with the 350 or stick with the 283,it is a good engine.

 

Question me will ya!

 

ahaha...sic 'em Don

 

If you're looking for something to 'just bolt in', here's some other stuff to worry about:

Earlier engines had accessory mount holes in the heads...late model engines tend to not have those. If your current alternator/ps/whatever brackets are bolted to the heads, you'll want to make sure that you can do that on the new heads too.

If it's an oooold 283, the engine mounts will attach on the front of the block. Most sbc's have the 3-bolt style engine mounts that attached on the sides of the block.

If the oil pan is unique to the application, and you're reusing it, and the dipstick goes through the block, note that it can be on the right or on the left...so the pan and the block need to agree.

 

Good points patman.

 

Ahhh, all very good points and info.

The 283 thats in the Rover has the 3 bolt motor mounts.

Ill have to make sure I take note of all the doo dads.

Pete-

 

Backwards,early heads do not have holes in the heads,there is long and short waterpumps,and left and right mounting of the alternator.2 different flywheel sizes,so make sure the block is drilled for both starters.

 

Not to mention, the exhaust manifolds must agree with the dipstick; i currently run with no dipstick. How do i check oil? i don't.

 

Well you were available.

 

283 will have a small dia flywheel - 305 & 350 use large dia flywheel which MAY not fit in your bell housing. Small flywheel will fit early 350 but block MAY not be drilled for appropriate starter.
Chevy in a Land Rover eh - got one of those in my 73 S3. Makes for an interesting vehicle.

 

lol

 

Why did you cut up a Jeep frame for a Land Rover? Doesn't make sense to me.

 

Because a new Rover frame is $2,500 bucks and the jeep frame was $500......

This way I can run the AMC and DANA axles, good brakes and go to the local Auto-Zone to buy parts.....that OK??

 

Thanks to all the great info obtained from the HAMB I was able to buy the correct engine which made swapping the flywheel and clutch super easy with no ********!

I picked up a great 1978 350 SBC 4 bolt main engine and swapped the flywheel and clutch ***embly from the 283 with no headaches! I did have to use the 283 starter because the snout position was different.


Thanks for all your help.

Pete-