Technical 283 Chevy

“It’s not always about the money “

THIS!


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I talked to Jerry after lunch today and he assured me there in no problem with sleeving the block, incidentally the two cracks that I previously said were side by side are on opposite sides. HRP

 

If you are paying the engine builder for all the machine work & parts it can easily cost 2,500 bucks, especially if he is using the best parts.

In my case Jerry has sourced a better set of heads that will make the engine breath better, we haven't discussed the price but I trust him and I know from previous experience his work is second to none in my area. HRP

 

Yes, he is doing all the machine work and sourcing all the parts himself. I probably should have said that. Oops.

 

Before you spend $4500+ on rebuilding a 283, you might want to take a look here: https://www.fivestarengines.com/shop/chevy-283-280-hp-high-performance-balanced-crate-engine/

 

Save the crank scrap the block. get a 350 block. install new main bearings and have your friend machine line bore those bearings to accept a set of small journal main bearings. and build a great 301. Bill Jenkens used that method to install 327 cranks in 400 blocks.

 

I'm doing the 283 to keep the truck as close to time period correct as possible.

 

I guess I need to clarify, he is charging $2500. ++ total, not sure what tax will be but $2500 & tax to me seems reasonable.

 

I've had a few sleeved over the years. Mostly they were stock replacements but a couple were mild high performance (street). There were no failures and all of them lived normal lifespans. I don't see any reason not to sleeve the block if you'd like to keep it, assuming the other bores are salvageable.

Since it's a 283, I think you'll also want to carefully check the heads. Back in the day, I recall losing a lot of 283 heads to cracks. It seems they were mostly '65 / '66 vintage engines.

 

Lou, Jerry say's he has a good set of heads that will help that 283 come to life. HRP

 

The link I posted IS a 283, it would keep your build period correct. I saw you had posted $4500 earlier, that's why I gave you the link. But if you're at $2500, then that's close enough, no reason to go for the crate engine I linked to. Best of luck to you.

 

Yeah, $4500 is a little too rich for my blood. HRP

 

You could push that all the way up to a 400 ci if you wanted.. Not sure its worth it. A local back in the 60s used to do them for drag cars..

 

Rather than suggest a size, from my experience those engines responded very well to any amount of overbore (especially with better cylinder heads). Let the condition of the 6 original bores dictate the size and build from there.

 

i can't give away a standard bore 283

 

If you were local I'd take it off your hands.

 

You bet, If I were closer I would take it and even buy you a case of beer.

What sbc could be considered more traditional? HRP

 

That's a darn good looking engine. HRP

 

My two comments prior became voided once cracked over scratched up became clear. Happy Buzzing still in the future none the same.