Lets talk Small block chevies! Some history from say 1955 to 1963

What year did the motor mount locations change? Can someone post a detal shot of the early vs. late motor mount blocks?

 

I think '58 was the first side mount block.

 

booo sidemounts!

 

I love my sbc



so much, that i own 4 of them

1 283..as far as you know
1 327
2 350's

 

Here's mine, I'd love a 3 duece set-up but i want to finish it first!

 

They have smaller valves. 1.72 intakes.

 

here's one 57 283/283-FI--097, etc

 

For a sweet running 265, 272, 283 and 292 engine.

I will go over the 301 later.

The little -097 Duntov solid lifter cam, use stock ramshorns and true duals out to the back of the rear bumpers along with W/D/T smooth perforated inner pipe GLASSPACKS on all engines but if you can afford it, the 2.5" 365hp&375FI/327 jobbers.

As for an intake, whatever you want up to like an old 600 cfm, 1850 Holley on something like a Holley 300-36 intake. Won't be period correct, but will run way better than the old WCFB and stock cast-iron 4-barrel intake and I still have this intake out in the garage.

Heads!!!!!!

Powerpack type with .015" to .020" shim headgaskets that have the big triangle on the boss.

You can install 1.94"/1.50" valved -461's on 283's, but install a lower lift cam so that you don't have any problems with the intake valves hitting the top lip of the cylinders.

This is where the old -097 Duntov cam fit fine.

301, again, the -097 cam or if up around 11 to 1 CR, the great old 30-30, -346 or Isky Z-30 solid cams along with at least 2.02"/1.60"valved -461 or newer type GM heads.

These little engines will hit 7,500 to 8,000 rpm easy with matching valve springs.

What a HOOT if you've NEVER shifted one up that high.

And if you are mild rearend geared, then just gently roll her outta the hole and once she hit's 3,000 rpm, nail her and hold on!

Install something like a 4.11 and hold on, but gas mileage and top highway seed will suffer.

This is the way it was done way back then.

pdq67

 

301 ..,,,,in Alaska in '66-'67 i had a Army Surplus '55 Chevy drag car ,,Hillborn Injected ,,Duntov Camed 301 ,,4;56 rear gear anna Muncie M-21 4 speed ,,shifted at 8000 rpm ,,then switched to a Wolvereen Cam,,,it would spin to 9000 rpm then ,,loved that old 301 ,,,but,,,sold it all and went to a '54 Ford F-100 Drag Truck with a 396 Big Block in '68,,

 

For you young-uns,,a 301 is a 327 block with a 283 crank,,,hot rodders invented that idea as soon as the 327 came out ,,G M didn't want to give us credit for the idea ,,so,,they called their's a 302 ,,

 

I have a boring 350 with a forged bottom end that came from a pick up but it's the same "L-82" they used in Vettes. It's supposed to have a mild cam in it but I don't really care about that. Stock compression and heads, it was just one of those "never fails" engines in a buddy's street truck. I have a polished Offy 3 X 2 for it, a Mallory with a crab cap and a set of rams horn manifolds, but I may get really boring and add block huggers to it. Still need to get some finned aluminum VCs for it and just a few spruce up things, all to drop into the big gaping hole in my 61 Belair. For the 1st time in I don't know how long I'll actually paint it Chevy orange and whatever exhaust I use it'll be white high heat or maybe white jet hot. I figure that ought to be just right for a low and slow mild 60s custom. The truck is a different story. I have no issues using a SBC for that but it's sure to have a pantload of carbs, 4 or 6, just because. Other than a SBC, if a smokin deal came along on a 348 or 409 it would get that, or I may just do a really old style 396 since they came out in 65. My build date for the truck is 66. Nothing newer that can be easily seen. I noticed that in my replies I didn't share what I was doing...sorry. And no pics yet so sorry for that too. Look for a build thread on the bubbletop 61 soon (or should I say finally!).

 

IMHO that 4 blade fan is the best fan ever, been racing for nearly 20 years and they have cooled every one of my race cars. With and without shrouds.

Louie

P.S. Remember GM probably spent some bucks designing that as well......

 

Actually the 301 started as a bored out 283, probably as soon as the 283s started showing up. Back in the fifties some guys went up to a 352 from 283s.

 

Reath made 1/2 inch stroker kits with .125 over pistons in the late '50s to turn 283s into 352s.

 

One big advantage you have buiding a 283 today is piston technology. Many of the hot 283s built years ago used heavy sand cast Jahns pistons--now, there are forged slugs available that are both stronger and much lighter, a good thing when you're looking to take a V8 up over seven grand.

 

WOW-never heard of the 283 to 352 deal. Did they stand up to abuse they must have recieved? What happened to them? (not hijack this thread, but DANG)

 

Yea,
Your right about availability and cost, Parts are usually not listed for the smaller than 4" bore engines, Im going thru that right now on a +.060 283. As far as the 348's & 409's, they might be heavy, and I agree it takes big $$$$$ to make them walk the walk, but they sure can talk the talk.

 

Naw, the 348s are not that bad. I did spend about $800 bucks over the equivalent small block when I screwed the last one together. Real basic warmed over hot rod engines, nothibg exotic.

 

Ok so I have been geekin out on all this stuf and looking at bass' motors for the last hour. I am finally recovered from all the meat and mai tais from last weekends extravaganza put on by the Austin Meatheads and Gmann51 and his wonderful family. now back to business with a clear head.

That said I want to know more about these 4 blade fans?????? Slopoke I know you run em in race cars but how long are you running them for??? I am wondering on a closed hood car sitting in traffic will this work for cooling a warmed over sbc??? WHat experiance do you fellas have???

I really dig all the info so far on this thread. lets not let this one die!!!!!

Eric

 

Here's the '57 283 in my '34.

 

A lower outlet on an aluminum radiator will fuck up a gennie 4 blade steel fan with no scars to the outlet! Ask me about that wallhanger!

 

Ok, so Brian what's the skinny on this water pump? Interesting...

 

Oh, and this frame modification for the steering box. Any more pics of how that was accomplished? Very nice fab work as always.

 

I might have some 283 and some 327 parts, staggered bolt valve covers, intakes etc lying around. If ya need them holler at me via PM. I'll go check in the garage.

 

1958 is the first year for sidemount mouse motors but the blocks still had the front mounting holes and I know 327s had them because I had a 327 in my 55 Nomad and used the front mounts.

 

the same guy that designed the Caddy v8's also had a hand in it too

 

X2!!!

 

That water pump looks like a different version of a Zipps riser. It moves the fan to a more central location on the radiator. I have one for mine, but I am going to try and avoid using it if I can.

 

Why would you bother when the real "57's" are out there? Adapting the newer ones will probably cost as much as using a real set. I see the staggered bolt Corvette covers on Ebay all the time.
Besides those in the Know will look for the staggger pattern and when they see the straight ones...............BUSTED!!!

Frank