283 Block damage, PICS.

What do you think, garbage?






Register now (free) or login to remove ads

283? If its not in some $100,000 restored car I'd say junk it. Hell, if you lived near me, Id give you a perfectly good 350 to replace it.

lol! well geeze, i wish i lived near you!

I got a 350 block under the house that looks worse than that, when I got it 2 rods had came unglued, I had it magnafluxed and ran it for 2 solid years, still nothing wrong with it. As long as the piece missing at the bottom isn`t in the rings and there`s no cracks there`s nothing wrong with that block.

Super Chevy,

I think I would put a sleeve in the one cylinder for sure and the one accross from it too. The chips on the pan rail are nothing but I would grind the sharp edges to stop cracks from forming.

Scholman

Why would you try to save a 283? They give them away. Like a 307 or 305, the junkyards are littered with them.

I would just set that block aside if I ever needed it for a perfect resto and find something a little bigger than a 283.

Or you could clean it up real good and make a coffee table out of it. Bolt a piece of glass or Lexan to mainbearings so you car see the carnage. Make it a conversation piece.

I've got a 327 block with a chunk out of the bottom similar to that. The block was checked and it had no other cracks/damage. I'm just going to leave it. If you sleeve, you'll have to bore all cylinders because it distorts to adjacent holes.

i think its just going on the shelf for now, the local machine shop said they would inspect it for around $70 or they have 283 shortblocks there already inspected and good for $75.

I've got a 350 with a chunk like that missing from the bottom of the #5 cylinder, been together for 7 years and about 35,000 miles like that. As long as it's checked for cracks, deburred and out of the ring travel area it should be ok.

If the crank is good you could always find a 350 block and make yourself a 302... (Do they make spacer bearings for med. journal blocks to small journal cranks?)

ive considered doing a 302, actually its on the wish list but i can't afford the pistons at the moment. i dunno if i trust bearing spacers.

Sure it's still good, for the following uses:

Boat anchor (degrease first)
Door stop (Big door)
Extra weight for pickup truck in snow

Have at it, But for running? C'mon man, in my 24 years of engine building I would not put that back together.

If it isnt cracked or anything how would that make the block non-functional? If it's out of the way and the rings wont hang up on it whats the problem with it? Just make sure it's deburred so it doesnt develop a stress fracture... I have had zero problems with the 350 I have with a similar sized chunk missing.

I'd be more worried about the oil pan rail not sealing well because half of the sealing surface is missing.

The problem with this block, in my opinion, is the fact that the structural integrity is comprimised. As the block heats up and expands, there will be uneven expansion causing stress. When ever there is a part that is stressed, you have a potential for failure. Why waste the time and money with a questionable block, when there are so many good blocks available? If this block passes a flux test and has no cracks, then it means that you can start it up. BUT, it does not mean that you can run it. Take the advice as sauce for the goose, and make your own decision as for where to spend your money and time. Good luck

It looks like it's been running like that for quite a while. The surfaces, where the missing chunks were, are not fresh.

Rings bearings and a hone job should perk it right up.


Larry