Save a 283 or replace it with a 350 crate?

go with the crate motor dressed right. it will be cheaper have more power and a waranty.

you are pushing a heavy carwith an auto the little motor has to work harder and will use more gas to push it around.


also remember the people you are asking will also say keep an inline over a crate motor.

 

do the right thing! 283 in my coupe.

 

Guilty.

 

I just like 283's. 350's are ok too. I just prefer 265's,283's and 327's.

I don't think a better engine was ever built for durability ,gas mileage, and overall drivability.

 

Who the shit cares enough to do all this crap? If it matters that much, stab a 283 in it & call it done.

Damn.

JH

 

Yep, a better( more ci, HP and a warranty ) and cheaper engine......definatley for chainers

If they lasted forever, I guess there wouldn't be a question here about rebuilding it or buying a crate motor.

If we were talking about a period correct car here, I'd be for the 283 too, but the cruiser part makes me think it's a heavier, not exactly traditional car, so that's exactly why I would go with the crate engine. If it just needs rings and bearings, and you can do it yourself, I'd stick with the 283, if it needs a full rebuild, lots of machine work, lots of parts, and you don't have a trusted machine shop to do the work, it will cost more than a crate. Maybe we need some more info, or maybe you've already made up your mind.........Hell, it's your car, who are we to tell you what to do????

 

Seems about everyones got a 350 in something... Stay differant and keep the 283........ Got one sittin on a skid till I find something to put it in.... low miles, over by .30, cam, vintage edelbrock cross ram,(w/ 2x4s) weiand finned valve covers.......... can;t wait

 

Quality? Hell if you want quality, dump the 283 and the 350, and get a nice FI Chrysler 360

It'll still be running when your grandkids are dead.

Course, everythings made in Mexico these days. Can't get around that, as Americans don't want to get dirty anymore.

 

Ah have one stashed. Good-time buddy has 5 tucked away. Rev-on!

 

first thing I'd do is be sure the 283 needs a rebuild then go from there.

if I had a 55 that was a keeper and it needed an engine I'd get a 350 and have it rebuilt before I'd pour a bunch of money in a 283.

you hear bad things about the mexican crate nmotors... I'd prolly stay away from them

 

The old timer lowrider that used to live next door to me said the 283 had the best sound coming out the pipes. I got a 283 under my work bench and it's going in my 65 Nova later this year.

 

I'm with you ..350
Make it look like a 283.... few if any will notice

 

I do, that's why I build my own instead of buying crate engines from Mexico.

 

What are your plans? How show are you willing to go? If it's for show keep the Mouse. If it's for go then for go the Mouse. if you plan on putting miles on the car then a (350 dime-a-dozen) is just fine. Just dress it up a little.

 

I've heard so many horror stories about machine shops lately that I'm almost scared to build my own anymore.

The crate motor might have a warranty, but you'd probably have to bend some stumps to get anything on it honored.

Pretty much a lose/lose proposition.

Oh, and I got 22+ MPG from the 350 in my old sedan (52 Chevy) with a Holley 600, Muncie 4-speed and 2.73's out back.