I don't post a lot of threads asking for help; mostly I respond/comment to others threads. So yesterday, I was looking at that auction site we all know and love, and came across "1957 Chevy & Corvette short block, std bore, 11:1 283, 3731548" (<enter that to do a search for it). I think the seller posted the ad with his wording based on the "STD" embossed into the piston tops; I don't think he built this engine, and is making "***umptions" (he deals in Corvette parts). Standard bore piston = standard bore 1957 Chevy 283 block, right? BUT, the pistons are Thompson/TRW/Speed Pro/Federal Mogul, L-2166 forged popups, a 3-2-7 piston (327 piston). I'm guessing some uninformed guy built himself a 301/302 using his 1957 283 block, and had it bored to 4"/.125 over; then using a 3" stroke 283 crank, and the stock rods, to wind up with in this case, a LOW COMPRESSION 301/302 due to the piston top being .155 down in the cylinder. I often hear or read about the "formula" for a 301/302, is a "283 crank and a 327 piston" (that's not correct); then the inverse for a 307 is a "327 crank with a 283 piston" (and that's not correct either). Popup pistons in a now low compression engine (???). Maybe the guy used some aftermarket 5.85" rods to do this right, but I don't think so based on the "ridge" wear I see in the cylinders (looks a little "wide" to me). Or, maybe he had a 327 crank seriously cut down and contoured to fit in an early 283 block ($$$). I just thought some of ya'll might get a kick out of this like I did. How many standard bore/4" bore, 283 blocks have you seen? I did send the seller a question about his standard bore, high compression 283, but have't gotten a response. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
I've seen this before also. Both misinformed and worse . (283/292/301/302/327 argument) I actually scored a 69 large journal 302( one year large journal) because of a situation where a well known shop was getting out. They were so certain that it was a 327 with large domes etc etc. It also had aftermarket pistons ,etc.Used my phone to photo and then used it to check numbers etc. To this day he still swears it is a 327. The crank# and block# say otherwise - so did the numbers on the pistons. I took the photos ,numbers , and the engine - took the chance and bought it anyway- to someone that is much smarter than me - Marion Fairchild- 10 min. later he said I must be living right. I've had a set of angle plug - ( turbo-292 castings) - that even though obsolete by todays standards- have been worked to the max- Ill put them together and with some hilborns make my Prefect **** for cheap. The engine is nothing really special ( any 4 bore /large journal block and a 302 crank- the rest can be bought cheaply). But I often see the same thing in our part of the world. I've just learned to keep my mouth shut, smile and let it ride .
The Jalopy Journal
