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Technical 283 Block Questions

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by SUSQ, Aug 10, 2016.

  1. SUSQ
    Joined: Nov 5, 2012
    Posts: 98

    SUSQ
    Member

    Have an opportunity to pick up a free 283 block. Don't have any real plans for it right now but might make it a fun father/son build over the winter. I'm told the block is a '57 283. Other codes and numbers on the block are:

    GM over 3731548

    H followed by a T (with a dash above it) followed by a 6

    548

    D2557

    Block looks to be in decent shape, I just want to determine if I want to drive 90 minutes each way to pick it up. Can't tell from pix if it has a spin on oil filter or not.

    Thanks in advance for any insight provided!
     
  2. Remember the 57 V8 block has no side motor mounts.
     
    LOU WELLS and henryj1951 like this.
  3. SUSQ
    Joined: Nov 5, 2012
    Posts: 98

    SUSQ
    Member

    Unfortunately I can't tell if no side mounts based on the pix I received.
     
  4. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,944

    squirrel
    Member

    casting number looks 57 ish, the casting date with the 57 at the end looks 57 ish, too.

    there's a picture of one on the internet, no side mount bosses
     

  5. draggin'GTO
    Joined: Jul 7, 2003
    Posts: 1,792

    draggin'GTO
    Member

    A '57 block would have a canister filter, not a spin on. As already mentioned no side engine mounts.

    About a traditional as they come, a great start for a period perfect hot rod engine.
     
    magnet likes this.
  6. Clik
    Joined: Jul 1, 2009
    Posts: 1,965

    Clik
    Member

    The one in our recently acquired 57 wagon # F1118GF has a canister filter and the three side mount bosses on each side. One source says it was a fuelie but I doubt that.
     
  7. Last three digits in casting number...548, found on drivers side of bellhousing flange should be a '57 283. Yes, no side mounts but can be used anyway.
     
  8. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,461

    noboD
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    Side mounts started in '62.
     
  9. henryj1951
    Joined: Sep 23, 2012
    Posts: 2,306

    henryj1951
    Member
    from USA

    ah...
     
  10. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,144

    DDDenny
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    from oregon

  11. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
    Member

    I understand there were some 265s installed in some '57 Chevys. How do you tell the difference between a '57 265 and a 283 without opening it up to measure the bores? Did the 265 and 283 each use a different block casting number? I see 283s without side mount pads for sale every now and then but I wonder how many are really 265s with '57 numbering.
     
  12. henryj1951
    Joined: Sep 23, 2012
    Posts: 2,306

    henryj1951
    Member
    from USA

    i have seen the PQQR ol 57 with 265's and 283 side mounts ( but still bolted )
    the normal way up front.... ya ya i know there are / were stories of GM
    using what they had .... and yes they (the PQQR ol 57's) could have suffered from SWAPS.
    and certainly dealer replacements for the late builds ...:cool:
     
    Model A Vette likes this.
  13. draggin'GTO
    Joined: Jul 7, 2003
    Posts: 1,792

    draggin'GTO
    Member

    1958 was the first block with provisions for side motor mounts.

    The '55-'57 blocks had no bosses cast in or any tapped holes to accommodate side engine mounts, front mounts only.

    I've had 2 of the '57 283 blocks and both were smooth where you'd normally expect to bolt on side mounts. Both had a 3.875" bore, they weren't 265 blocks.
     
  14. henryj1951
    Joined: Sep 23, 2012
    Posts: 2,306

    henryj1951
    Member
    from USA

  15. henryj1951
    Joined: Sep 23, 2012
    Posts: 2,306

    henryj1951
    Member
    from USA

    Correct...:cool:
     
  16. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    Regarding the 57, 265's. The BASE V-8 engine for 57 was a 265, only came as a 2 barrel, and only with manual 3 speed transmissions. The 283 was used with ALL automatics, Powerglides, Turboglides, and the cast iron, dual range Hydramatics when used in trucks. The 57 265 and 283 blocks share the same casting number; they could be bored to either specs that way. Most guys think since the 283 came out in 57, that that's all that was available, not so. Dito on the no side mounts and cannister oil filter, for both the 57 265 and 283.
    I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
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  17. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
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    Thanks Butch, that clears up another old wives tale. Good to know that the 265 blocks will go to 283. If they share the same casting, will a solid 265 go to 292? 301?
     
  18. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
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    Chevy 265.jpg No side mounts
     
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  19. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
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    mgtstumpy, It looks like an unusual oil pump and pickup - a swinging pickup?
     
  20. Ah yes, the Swinging Pickups. Didn't they have a hit record in 1957?
     
  21. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    I've always wondered why Chevrolet went from using sidemounts on theirs cars with inline sixes, up to 1954 and switch to front mounts for three years and then back to the sidemounts.
     
  22. Speed Gems
    Joined: Jul 17, 2012
    Posts: 6,433

    Speed Gems
    Member

    Didn't Smokey Yunick invent them for his road race Camaro?;)
     
  23. They did? The early sixes I've owned were front mounts, but they were pre-1950s. I don't remember side mounts for sixes until about '62.
     
  24. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
    Member

    That's right! Who can forget their hit singles; "Take a ride in my (pu) bed" and "Oil feel better when you're gone"
    RIP Swinging Pickups. (OK - back to work...)
     
    Saxman likes this.
  25. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    I'm not certain of the years but some had side mounts prior to 1955.
     
  26. Jibs
    Joined: May 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,896

    Jibs
    Member

    What was the last year for the canister filter?
     
  27. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    Just for clarity; this is a 55, 265 engine. No block mounted oil filter or starter motor pad (that began in 57 with both the 265 and 283 blocks), and of course, no side mounts. "Swingin' Pickups"? Is that oil pickups, trucks, or girls?
    I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  28. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    Just for clarity; this is a 55, 265 engine. No block mounted oil filter or starter motor pad (that began in 57 with both the 265 and 283 blocks), and of course, no side mounts. "Swingin' Pickups"? Is that oil pickups, trucks, or girls? Cannister oil filter arrived in 56.
    I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  29. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    Just for clarity, this is a 55, 265 engine; no block mounted oil filter or starter motor pad (that began in 57 with both the 265 and 283 blocks), and of course, no side mounts. "Swingin' Pickups"? Is that oil pickups, trucks, or girls? Cannister oil filter arrived in 56.
    I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  30. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    ??? I seemed to have developed a stutter.
    I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
    volvobrynk and bengeltiger like this.

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