Building a 283 SBC! Need help!!

38fordpickup. You need to go back to post #50 and #52 for your answer!!

 

Thx guys!

 

ttt

 

The 1961 Corvette came with a HP 283. Some of the hop ups were: twin 4 bbls, 9.5:1 compression, solid lifters, dual point dizzy, straight thru type mufflers, forged steel crankshaft, special cam shaft, and produced 270 hp.

The 1961 Corvette with fuel injection 283, larger valves, special cylinder heads, solid lifters, dual point dizzy, 11.0:1 pistons, produced 315 hp. I suspect your engine may produce at least this.

 

I only said .040 gaskets to lower what sounded like a high compresson ratio at this time, now that more info has come out, think about the engine not being finished and make sure things are tight, finished and not just mocked up in some cases, then figure the actual comp. ratio and know what cam you have, lube the lifters with fresh lube and have lots of fun with your engine. btw, it's time to make noise with it

 

KarKrazy56,,,,,,,,,Try Kanter Auto in Boonton NJ They have a lot of gasket and rebuild kits available for early V8s
There web site is Kanterauto.com ask for a catalog...

 

Here is how I would determine yout C/R. Put oil in it and prime the oil system. Install the distributor so that you have oil pressure when you turn it over with the starter. Put a compression gage on one of the cylinders and crank it over. Then divide that number by 14.7. ( example : 147 divided by 14.7 = 10 to 1 C/R ) This has worked for me for many years. Some people disagree but it has worked for me.

 

lot a good advice here,have you made any progress?have you got the paper work yet?

 

No progress yet and no paper work. What kind of oil should i put in it to hand crank it? and what kind to lube up the cylinders? Thanks

 

I've built several sbc's. Before starting them up for the first time, I removed the dizzy, stuck a oil pump primer attached to a drill down thru the dizzy hole onto the oil pump, squeezed the trigger on the drill, to feed oil to the engine, and pressurize the oil system to the lifter galley.

 

See the thing is im not going to be finishing the motor anytime soon. What should i do to keep it lubed up?

 

You chould put any oil in it that you have the thicker the better it will stay on the metal longer and just keep it in a dry place. Even some spray on stuff that has a staying property whould work because you say you will be taking apart. So I think the only thing you are trying to do is stop rust.

 

I would pull the engine back down, you really need to know whats what.

Oil? 10w30 or 10 w40..... carb ? no more the 600cfm, perhaps a holley 390.

You need to check the lifter springs. 10 years is a super long time to think your gonna put fire in the hole without any issue's....you need 100 at the seat. the ones compressed are a cause for worry, not to mention their cylinders

I didnt read everypost, skimmed the article. but oil queery before tear down is putting the cart before the horse. 283 is a little engine, but its a novelty. Cool to have. I have one that needs rebuilt. PP heads ect. I have tried to sell it with no luck....

I wouldnt hand crank it either. If you must put oil in it, drill prime it at the pump before you crank it

The intake isnt bolted down? perhaps snap a pic of the valley, or check to see if the pushrods are set up right?

SO many what ifs...