Technical How do I identify different SBC engines

I know you said the valve covers are bit for sale but would you consider just giving them to me.


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This is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time! And very true! Lol


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Hi there, this may be different cause my car was assembled here in Australia but my 61 Belair has a 283 with staggered valve covers and has for its whole life. Can anyone shed some light on this for me. I don’t know the casting number of the heads but I’m going to find them next time I have the covers off. Thanks.


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good eye and you got me, should have painted those adapters engine color.. lol @56sedandelivery .. little trickery on running the early valve covers on my 283.. can't remember whats on the passenger side exhaust manifold wise..It gets the job done. But I'm running and alternator (not period correct, but it's 12V )..

 

Although, many guys are doing cloned, small journal 302" Z28 motors, using that 327" and the 283 crankshaft. The 283" forged cranks are going for $200 plus if in good shape. Several years ago you could buy them for $80 already turned. I am putting together this same combo., which is my third one. You may have more worth than you think.

 

Wow! $200 for a 283 crank! That is good to know!


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Where in NY? If close enough to Gansevoort I'll clean them out for you. I seem to collect old obsolete stuff, I could definitely use a 283 block in the future.

 

Dave I’m about 3 hours south of you, not far from your hotel : )

*edit someone already scored the 327

 

Bump! Just to remind @HOTRODPRIMER that we are still hanging.

 

Yes; we are...

 

Yes the last 327-350 HP. If I remember correctly.

 

Just picked up a late 70’s 350 and it fooled me. The crank flange looks like the 400 on the chart, but after disassembly found it is a 350. Looks like the chart does not apply to cranks after 1974. Darn, really excited to see how the 400 shaft was machined to fit in the 3970010 two bolt block! Lol!!

 

The LS swaps are allowing some nice early motors to be available--bought two great running small journal 327's from guys doing the LS swaps. One was fresh with 600 miles-built right too-put it in a 40 coupe-strong runner!

 

Bump for Danny

 

If its a good deal, it may get away if you spend too much time "verifying". If the guy wants them gone, give him what he wants.....or make him an offer since they are virtual unknowns.

Take em home and sort them out and sell what isn't useful.....hopefully getting your money back while still keeping some of it.

 

I have a 1958 PowerPack 283 that has staggered valve cover bolts and accessory bolt holes. The bolt holes are only on one end of the heads, though, (driver's side front and passenger side rear). It was pulled from the car in the mid 70's and definitely has not been apart. The date codes on the heads match up with the block and intake date codes, and are 1958. When I got it, the bell housing and 3 speed trans. were still with it. These also have 1958 date codes.

My older brother has a 59 2 bbl. 283 with the same style heads, (although they are 2 bbl. heads). He pulled this engine out of a 59 Impala that had been untouched in a farmer's field since the mid 1960's. These heads were early 1959 date coded, with staggered bolt holes, and accessory holes on one end of the heads.

I recently learned that these bolt holes were for the air compressor on air suspension equipped cars.

Another little detail to date small blocks are the front cover bolts. 1961 and older engines used flat screwdriver headed bolts, while 1962 and later used hex headed bolts.

Also, the engine photo shoes the earlier style harmonic balancer with bolt on pullies. However, as far as I know the 55 - 57 balancers had the pullies riveted on.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3910443697...1291&msclkid=aaca19088ff4150201747b2dfa8aaecfThat web above the right side water pump straight up to the intake rail disappeared around 1966. The gap between the wed and the water pump seamed to be wider on most 283s than 327s The front view picture

 

Lift them. If you can easily lift the entire engine with one hand, it's a 283 or smaller. If you can lift with one hand but it ain't easy, it's a 307 or a 305. If you need both hands it's a 327/350. If you need both hands and an extra pair of hands it's a 400. Jeeze, even my wife knows this

 

@HOTRODPRIMER Did you ever get these?

 

Ever get to look at the engines?