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Making a new 350 look like a 57 small block? TECH QUESTION

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Tuck, Dec 7, 2003.

  1. hotrod54chevy
    Joined: Nov 7, 2003
    Posts: 1,590

    hotrod54chevy
    Member
    from Ohio

    I'm sorry, it sounds like you didn't read the article. Why make a 350 look like a 283? Well, a 283 or other older engine would more suit the look of your car, but a 350 is more readily available and higher HP. No, the assholes who have every casting number memorized aren't going to be fooled, but I don't see that as the point. Come on, which would you rather look at? A plain Jane crate 350 or something that maybe takes you a second to realize what it is? Yes, original 283s are awesome, I have one in my car. But if someone gives you a SBC (which DOES happen) parts are so enter changeable, why not make it better to look at? My '65 283 is a 2 barrel motor that I put script covers on. I'm also getting a '55 oil canister to use as an puke tank and I'm running a '55 air cleaner. With this in my '54, am I a grape smuggler as well? I'm also running a Mustang II, but that's painted black and side motor mounts worked in the '50s. I'm not running front mounts just for the heck of it!

    And I disagree. I feel that dressing a newer engine up like an older one (if done right) is more like wearing a thong under your business suit :D
     
    NoelC and Bigcheese327 like this.
  2. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    54chevy, not trying to be argumentative, but do you really think theres anyone out there who particularly cares wether you have a 55 or 65 engine in your 54 Chevy? What possible difference could it make to anyone? If doing what your doing makes you happy, by all means have at it.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2015
  3. That's some funny ass shit there! Who the Hell checks #'s now a days? So the OP is a poseur now? Fuck!,Dress the damn thing,Drive the Damn thing,and BE HAPPY!
    What the hell does it matter? Let him have the look and be content! This isn't a resto/numbers matching forum ! Hot Rodders/Hoodlums do those sorts of things............
     
  4. hotrod54chevy
    Joined: Nov 7, 2003
    Posts: 1,590

    hotrod54chevy
    Member
    from Ohio

    Not trying to start a fight either. I was just saying that making a 350 look like a 283 is the same as me dressing a '65 up as a '55.
     
  5. RICK R 44
    Joined: Dec 13, 2009
    Posts: 475

    RICK R 44
    Member

    There was an article in Street Rodder mag on the subject in question. In the article, they went through the process that you have in mind. Not sure which issue, but I think it was within the last year.
     
  6. Lone Star Mopar
    Joined: Nov 2, 2005
    Posts: 4,161

    Lone Star Mopar
    Member

    For all the guys wasting space with "I dont get it" or "why would you do this" comments the thread is clearly titled, if you dont like the topic move to the next thread.
     
    scrubby2009 and hotrod54chevy like this.
  7. hotrod54chevy
    Joined: Nov 7, 2003
    Posts: 1,590

    hotrod54chevy
    Member
    from Ohio

  8. BamaMav
    Joined: Jun 19, 2011
    Posts: 6,969

    BamaMav
    Member Emeritus
    from Berry, AL

    I painted my SBC Ford blue. Just to be different. You'd be surprised how many people think it's a Ford engine. Probably the same ones that think all SBC's are the same.
     
  9. BTTT
    Anybody ever grind off N20 bosses on a modern aftermarket intake manifold to make it look older? o_O

    Maybe @Tuck @Richard D or @porknbeaner ??

    Thanks, guys!:)
     
    guthriesmith likes this.
  10. Splitbudaba
    Joined: Dec 30, 2014
    Posts: 874

    Splitbudaba
    Member

    4462764-e4efcc3cc0e2fb6732907205c0f83516.jpg 3AFBCE21-7792-48FE-9769-8F79C1BEF840.jpeg I went that route with the 350 crate motor my wife got me for Xmas a few years ago. Grinder, high temp epoxy and a few hours change the look. Also was lucky enough to find a mint set of 62 Corvette valve covers on Craigslist.
     
    rod1, Tickety Boo, v8flat44 and 6 others like this.
  11. Didn't read the whole thread, but don't forget you have to have some type of venting if you're going with solid valve covers. An oil fill with a vented cap on the intake alone isn't enough.......your firewall will thank you.
     
  12. PackardV8
    Joined: Jun 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,309

    PackardV8
    Member

    Dress it like something it is not? Why not put Oldsmobile, or Studebaker rocker covers on it? Done all the time. Heck, every show I see at least one SBC with hemi rocker covers on it.

    jack vines
     
  13. Splitbudaba
    Joined: Dec 30, 2014
    Posts: 874

    Splitbudaba
    Member

    52D716B9-D524-4C70-9475-4E11DF68E972.jpeg 4187F53F-546D-427C-BB50-BE777B694DE1.jpeg
    Right you are! Got creative. Pcv valve tapped into intake with baffle to keep oil out plus a lifter valley windage tray. Hose connects to vacuum port on carb base.
    Seems to work so far. The first time out on the road with determine it's ability.
     
  14. Splitbudaba
    Joined: Dec 30, 2014
    Posts: 874

    Splitbudaba
    Member

    It's already a glass body, don't want to push my luck. Besides I love SBCs.
     
    Just Gary and Desoto291Hemi like this.
  15. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 8,057

    A Boner
    Member

    Don’t have to…Putting a Ford in a Ford is rare enough!
     
    loudbang, Splitbudaba and Just Gary like this.
  16. blue 49
    Joined: Dec 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,080

    blue 49
    Member
    from Iowa

    Brock's.jpg
    A friend of mines SBF . You can't do much about the front distributor, though.

    Gary
     
  17. I have ground all kinds of lumps and warts off of late model stuff. If it serves no purpose a hack saw blade with tape wrapped around one end and a dremmel tool is your friend.

    If you are using a stock late model intake (they make excellent street intake with the proper mods) the hardest part is hiding the EGR pocket (pass side). I am lazy and usually just make a block off plate for it, but if you are clever you can male it look like an automatic choke stove. At least you can get it past most people at the hot dawg stand.
     
  18. IMG_1709.jpg IMG_2145.jpg
    I did the same thing. My engine for my 36 Chevy gasser sounds like exactly what the goal is here. I want it to look like it's 1965 all over again. Used Comp Cams steel roller tip rockers for reliability but fit under the Corvette valve covers.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2022
    Splitbudaba and Just Gary like this.
  19. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 36,103

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    sorry but the billet aluminum pulleys ruin the 1965 look for me....
     
  20. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,605

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    good place to bolt a fuel block to haha
     
    Splitbudaba likes this.
  21. Kelly Burns
    Joined: May 22, 2009
    Posts: 1,767

    Kelly Burns
    Member

    I’ve got a late 60s SBC (3932386 block) that has been bored and is stroked that I’ll be going a similar route with. I’m going to redo my 291 heads, run an Edelbrock C-26 intake with two Edelbrock 4s, finned valve covers with breathers, a healthy Clay Smith cam, matte black headers and mechanical fuel pump. Most Hot Rodders will have no problem telling what it isn’t. I’m not going to set out to fool anyone, its just the look I like. I think that is what the majority of most guys here are doing, not setting out to fool the chalk mark crowd.
     
    Splitbudaba likes this.
  22. ekimneirbo
    Joined: Apr 29, 2017
    Posts: 5,160

    ekimneirbo
    Member
    from Brooks Ky

    There is a company selling "double hump" heads that are new castings and have larger valve and intake/ exhaust passages. Think they may be aluminum......but you can paint them. Consider that most of the early heads have been rebuilt numerous times and may need another if possible rebuild. They have had the mating surface remachined X number of times and may mismatch intake ports. Lots of things to be wary of when using 50+ year old heads.

    Oh, there is also dipstick location to think about.

    https://www.chevyhardcore.com/tech-stories/engine/double-hump-heads-trick-flow/
     
    jimmy six likes this.
  23. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 21,624

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    First, I know this is meant to be a 57 283 type thread.........anyway...........
    Kelly, I know I've mentioned this before and you may know this but for those that don't, those "291" head castings are the last true "camel hump" heads, a one year only casting for the 1968 run but other than the temp sender on the side they look just like they did when the "461" heads were first issued on the 1962 327's (in mid 1961).
    It don't get more traditional looking than that!
     
  24. Yeah they're going away
     
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  25. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 36,103

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    thank you.....
     
    kadillackid likes this.
  26. Kelly Burns
    Joined: May 22, 2009
    Posts: 1,767

    Kelly Burns
    Member

    @DDDenny Once I learned about the sending unit difference, I wanted the 291s. I'm wanting this to be a really healthy street engine, and I like the temperature sending unit being in the head. I looked for about a year for a good deal and found these at the Kyana Swap Meet, last March.
     
  27. I got trick flow twisted wedge heads on the Timex, they have provisions for the stock early temp sending unit in the proper location. I prefer to run mine next to the goose neck on the intake. I am a function follows form guy. ;)
     
    rod1 likes this.

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