327's are my all time favorite motor. That is what I put in all my cars back in the late 60's early 70's. Now I have two cars with Flatheads I don't need to go that fast now that I'm old.But that was not the question.
I have a 49 3100 which had a 283 and the granny 420 4 speed in it when I got it. I drove it that way for about 5 years, mostly around town so it was OK with the stock rear but lots a rpm. When it finally suffered a chunk missing from a #3 cyl exhaust valve I pulled it for another 283 but with a TH350 and 77 6 cyl rear (3:40) much nicer on the highway and around town. Been my daily driver since late 1990's. I think I could have bought a crate 350 cheaper than the 283 I rebuilt, but it was more fun using a warmed up 283.
Run the 350 and just tell everyone it's a 3 1/2 inch stroked 327. Sounds cooler.. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I'm keeping the 283 in mine, but I'm researching using a small journal 327 crank to stroke it to a 307. Factor in a minor overbore and it'll likely be 311ish. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Wow! You guys are too F'n funny. Go with the 350! No brainer. It's cheaper, more horse and low end, and no one will know. There are so many variables with the small block that no one is gonna' question it anyway. And if they do, they are poop pants. For 1400 bucks you can get a new black block (are they still from Mexico?) and few will be none the wiser. In regards to checking the stamping, who the hell is gonna climb into your engine bay and look past the distributor? That is, without you clocking 'em over the head. If it was an open engine car, maybe I would consider the issue, but then again, no I wouldn't, not when thinking about nailing the pedal with that many more cubes. Summit has a 350 right now that is like 1500 bucks and puts down 260 out of the box. For 200 bucks more, jam a fire stick and solids in there and grab the extra 30 with headers and a carb. When you get real close to 300 hp for under 1800 bucks- how do you lose? You aren't getting 300 horse outta a 283 for that price. Maybe some can, but I couldn't. Pork
while i would prefer the 283 , i don't think any of our opinions will make any difference to the OP. i believe he is gone and this is his first and only post
36 is right is gone, but you make me laugh i've had 283's, 327's 305's 350's and 400's they all last about the same in the right vehicle they all work well. if it was my truck 350 crate and a trans with overdrive because of the gears in the diff for better highway mileage and comfort.i've also raced motors using all those sizes as a base presently have a 301 injected and a 400 carb on methanol.
Oh and when you have to take that junk crate motor out for more reasons than I care to list here today,think about the 283 that you could have built and knowing what you have. I know of four close friends that went the crate motor route,and what a joke,not to mention they will not refund any money to you for your labor. One engine had low oil pressure,cam bearings were not indexed properly,another was a 383 stroker incorrect valve guides, and the other two had piston rings installed upside down. The guys were given more excuses than a tenant late on rent would have!! I know for a fact these were not the only four that had problems,I worked for a Chevy stealership for over 35 years,and saw some of these come into the service drive on the hook. So everything is not a bowl of cherries just because it was nice and shiney in a crate. This CRATE motor stuff is so overrated it should be against the law.
How does higher R.P.M's = Less vibration??? I thought that's what splayed main caps, stud girdles, and all that other fancy shit was for. OR- you could get a 400 block some bearing spacers and a steel 327 crank and build a 353 ci motor. Oh, and BTW a 400 block with a 283 crank would be a 325. A 400 block with a 350 crank is a 377.
What are you saying? Don't you know Chevrolet is THE BEST CAR IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD and the small block Chev is THE BEST ENGINE EVER INVENTED? Or, maybe it's true what Chev fans say: Chev engines and parts really are cheap and common. *Duck! Incoming!*
I appreciate all the responses! The plan for the truck is to have a nice cruiser. Don't plan on hauling anything unless its a cooler to the car show! I would like to get something which i can go over 50mph and not spend a arm an a leg on. Do i go 350 and keep 4 spd or something else. (This is my first build) Jrick
if the 283 runs NOW use IT. or over haul the 283 heads 500.00 @ mach shop. hot tank (clean) the tin work etc, (theres ways to cut this back if you try ) block prep 300.00 up. (depends on block condition) OH kit http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/ek-ek0951 299.00 up and now you can do ALL the ASSEMBLY WORK 1100.00 and @the end of the day you have a 283. http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/10067353/10002/-1?parentProductId=752506 1506.99 and you STILL OWN your 283 for later, and NOW you have a NEW 350 and i'm in faver of owning 283's and such, your skill set can save some money in the over hauling process, ok ok ... ok ... and ....so ...a -- I pick the 350
find a friend you trust who knows about rebuilding motors or sign up for a night school engine course. use the motor you have and the 4speed take your time and learn as much as you can,mostly have fun. if this is your first build it sure as hell wont be your last.goodluck with it justin
What really cracks me up is the guys who want a 283 because its "traditional" and then put aftermarket heads and a performer rpm on it....
OMG DaddyO... stop! Really, thanks for the laugh... perfect end to my day! OP- take the hazing.. its all good and its just the interweb "locker room". Can't hardly give away a 283 these days... guess I'll just keep mine for a little longer.
Let's see; Original Hot rodders took 20 year old cars like Model As and put newer bigger engines in them or added performance parts to the original engines. That's what I see as traditional. As for this truck, the four speed in it is likely the truck version which is basically a three speed with a super low gear giving all the low end torque needed. 4th gear is a 1:1 ratio and I'm certain it will do well over 50 mph. If nothing is being hauled then the low end torque isn't needed and an overdrive 4 or 5 speed could be substituted to get lower engine rpm at higher speeds.
Never mind the chunky boy'z being cracked up over modern heads, cams (30-30) OD ect. You have a pre '65? Do the 283. If not, keep the 350 on the down low.
The Jalopy Journal
