[ozzymeo]

I purchased a 1951 willys pickup with a 283. what would the rpm red line be on this engine?? it has low gearing, i don't want to over rev it. i ordered a tach for it. i am looking for an overdrive for the warn 18 transfer case.

[Blazin72]

That completely depends on the engine. If it's a stock engine with stock valve springs and a mild cam it might redline at say 5500. If it's been upgraded with higher airflow capacity, a bigger cam, stronger valvetrain and so on it may redline at 6000, 6500, 7000, etc... It just depends on how the engine was built.

[ozzymeo]

thanks, blazin72. the 283 is stock. my grandpa and uncles installed it new in a straight truck, the truck was crashed. they then installed it into the willys. my grandpa had bought the willys new. it was a welding truck until i purchased on my uncles retirement auction 2 weeks ago. the lincoln welder was sold seperately. not sure what year the 283 is. my uncle didn't remember. grandpa died in the early 70's. will have to check casting #.

[Bob W]

The 283s are a great engine. I have been running them since the late 60s. Drag cars and street cars. With the short 3 inch stroke you should have no trouble with Rs in your truck. Now days on the street I use a 3.08 gear but back in the "Drag Race" days I got down as low as 6.14s.

Bob .