Technical Chevy 283: Checking it's condition

Got a couple coats of paint on her.



What oil should I run in it?

 

Official Chevrolet V8 damper removal and installation tools from 1955.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1955/55csm0662.html

The poor sixes got even less love.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1955/55csm0621.html

 

Make sure you run oil with Zinc. I just pulled apart a motor that had been rebuilt - cam and lifters were wiped.

 

I went with the Valvoline 30w racing oil.

 

Easy way without numbers, early blocks have the road vent port by the dist hole (make sure you have the can under the intake), the early heads have no acc holes or 1 hole (later 350 heads have 3 holes), early motors have press fit crank and funky looking balancer. Bolt on parts for early motor are short water pump, oil fill tube, flat crank pulley, 2 port fuel pump.