283 with no numbers stamped on it?

I found what should be a 283 but on the right side of the block in front of the head where they are all stamped, this one has no numbers.

Has it been decked or something?

Last weekend it was complete from the air cleaner to oil pan & was $130. I didn't have the tools to pull it & now the distributor & exhaust manifolds have been pulled from it. It is still $130 & I'm just trying to decide if I want it.

The Power Pack heads are worth the price alone I guess. I was a lot more excited about it when it was complete though.

Any thoughts on those numbers? I'd hate to buy it & then find that it has been bored .060 over & needs more now.

JH

 

Its either been decked or its a replacement block. lots of 283's will go.125 over. Thats a 301 (cometimes called a 302)

 

Yeah...I think any 283 will go past 060, many will go 1/8.
Chevy engines have a broached deck surface stock...you will see machining straight lines running the length of the deck and over the number surface if block has not been decked. Smooth number pad oe circular milling lines means it has been decked.
A parts counter block would have no numbers, I think, while a replacement motor would carry a code like CE XXX. I think a short block would also carry a code.

 

Turns out, I can buy the block & heads (& everything inside 'em) for $90.

If it's still there Saturday AM I'm going to snag it.

Thanks, JH

 

You sure it is a 283. I bought several 375 327 short blocks and ran 283 stuff on them. They did not have numbers

 

I'm not sure of anything. It's in a four door, '64 Belair. I didn't figure it was anything much more than stock.

I'm going to get it Saturday if it's still there.

Thanks, JH

 

If you can get to the numbers on the block below drivers side head, here is a sight that may help.

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

 

The 327 in my car has no numbers. It was ordered from the parts counter at the dealer in 1965.

 

He's probably right that it's a 283, and had been "remanufactured";even had the decks milled in the process. What dampener is on it; is it the one with the ring rivited to the hub? Probably a 2 barrel also? Before you get it make sure you can turn it over, that it does'nt lock up, or make any noises. If it's broke, it's not worth $90.00 in scrap is it? Power pack heads can be bought for almost nothing anymore. Just my thoughts.

 

The 283 in my 57 had no numbers either....either a replacement eng by the factory back then OR it has been decked severely, but I doubt it.

Rat

 

I think a 'tell' is that if it has a V emblem on the fender its a 283, if the V has flags, its a 327. I know some years/models were this way and I "think" a '64 would be included. You can also tell by the casting numbers but if you're just walking around in the "yard" it could help narrow your search.

 

I just picked up a 327 and the casting numbers for the block are on the drivers side rear, just left of the distributor.

 

Horse shit. We went over this for HOURS one night. The 283 in your 57 Chevy does NOT have a specific engine number point blank. Engines back then had the chassis number stamped on them at the rear of the engine by the bellhousing.

You're grounded for not listening to me.

 

Just maybe someone was asleep on the assembly line. I worked at a car plant for over 30 years and witnessed engines coming down the line when the stamper went down and we had to then take a hammer with the different correct stamps and stamp the code id's in manually. So it could be the case on it. Just my thought.