[stray cat]

okay first tech question.
i've got a 283 thought it was a 327 until i ran the numbers
now i want to know if i need to change my plans for it.
this is how i want to run it
Edelbrock #2101 duel plane machined for oil tube
Edelbrock 650cfm carb manual choke
Edelbrock timing gears
Lunati street cam w/ lifters
stamped roller rockers
ported heads
2.5 headers
duel Flowmasters w/ dumps

any suggestions on any of this or any thing one might think it could use
thanks

[TANGO]

do you have the heads for the 283 ? And if so what are the casting #s . And did you buy the cam already . If you did what #cam or lift and duration is it . I like 1962 and newer 283 better then 305s . What is the casting # of your 283 . Some guys make them into 292 and 301s .

[stray cat]

yeah the engine is complete don't know the head cast yet the block reads (3756519) no cam yet i'll get the numbers tomorrow
thanks for the reply

[TANGO]

That is a 58 to 62 283 . Is the engine in OK running condition now / No rod knocks . And how many miles are on it ? When building this engine we need to remember that it is on a budget . Also the car most likely is a 2sp power glide and a 308 rear end . The good thing is the 283 is a good engine with a forged crank . And this engine is for a light car A 1963 Chevy II . Let me know the condition of this engine . Then I can tell you how I would build it . The intake is a go . Get the TH350 Trans back !

[stray cat]

right the engine sounds good a little out of time but that's my fault. When i removed the intake and oil pan i found lots of sludge, hope this wont screw the motor. i did trade my two bbl carb and intake for a quadra jet and 650 edelbrock. i don't know if the quadra jet is worth keeping it's kinda heavy.
no clue as to what the milage is. the trans right now is a three speed on the floor (converted column) do you think the rear end could use so beefing up?

[TANGO]

The rear end will be OK . If you just want to make some more power on a budget . Pull the engine out and put it on a stand . Remove the heads and cam . The fuel pump must be removed to pull the cam . The heads on your engine should be 1.72in/1.50ex valves . And 58cc to 62cc chambers . These heads will be OK for this engine . Buy a budget valve kit . The kit will come with new valves springs retainers locks and seals . Disassemble the valves and springs . Throw out all old parts . Check the valve seats if they look OK . The new valves can be hand lapped and installed . Alway disassemble the heads before ordering the parts . If the intake valve seats look bad then larger valves can be ordered and installed at an engine shop . Lets think positive and see . You will also need a new stock oil pump . You said that you wanted a lunati cam . They are good but costly . The lunati voodoo cam #LUN-60100LK is the one I would use . It is 207/213 DUR at.050 and 437/454 lift . Nice cam but cam and lifters are $195.95 . Also buy a double roller timing chain and a set of new stamped rocker arms in the stock 1.50 . If you have enough room buy your fire wall run a HEI distributor with a curve kit . Use the Edeibrock performer intake with that 650 carb . For the exhaust use your ram horn manifolds with 2" pipes and turbo mufflers . With that nice cam that engine should have about 300HP

[junior stocker]

I saw the pic of your engine and the casting "identifier" on the end of the heads. Rather than Power Pack heads with a rectangle and a triangle centered on top of it, yours have 2 verticle "bars". Be sure to check those heads out casting number wise! Do they have "CANADA" cast into them somewhere by the valve springs? According to some information I have those are 997 heads; 56' Corvette 2X4 barrel,58' pass car FI, same chamber as 57' 270 HP Corvette, 59cc chambers, 1.72/1.50 valves. Let us know what you find out! I think you've got a set of rare heads there, but I could be wrong. Junior Stocker.

Also, on your rear end, the "pumpkin" is a lightweight version of the 55'-64' full size car rear ends and won't last under much power, even in a light car. The bearings, caps, case thichness, and axles are all smaller/thinner; but like I said the full size rear pumpkins slip right in.

[stray cat]

no Canada there. driver side reads (774684) (GM2) (a60 13 4)

[junior stocker]

Huh? Mortec says # three774684 are 62'-64' 327 heads with 75cc chambers. Does the passenger side head match? Awful big combustion chamber on a 283; time to find some #601 53cc 305 heads, with the same valve size, to boost compression if the motor is sound enough. Maybe your heads were "truck" heads at one time? You said you have a 3 speed on the floor; I guess you mean standard shift trans. Put a Saginaw 3-ring input 4-speed trans in there and some 3.55:1 gears in the rear end (full size carrier) and really wake it up. I say keep your car "Plane Jane" and make a real sleeper out of it; I did that years ago with a 63' Chevy II wagon I had . Really surprised the Z-28 and 5.0 Mustang guys! Junior Stocker. (Guess my magazine article on heads is'nt completely correct ,Nov. 94' CAR CRAFT article "Casting Call").

[stray cat]

i have a set of 305 heads from a 91 camaro those wouldn't work would they?

[TANGO]

The 91 305 heads would work but you will need . A set of self-aligning rockers and center-bolt valve covers . I think it will be better to pick up a set of 80s 305 heads . The ones that lots of guys use are #416 #601 They have 184in/150ex valves . Most 80s 305 heads are 55/58cc chambers that will keep your CR up to around 9.1 . You may want to at lest port match the intake side . With the 80s heads you can use old style valve covers and rockers . Also if you use the 91 heads you will have to elongate the 4 center intake manifold bolts .

[junior stocker]

I've been under the impression ( same Nov 94' CAR CRAFT "CASTING CALL" ARTICLE) that 416 305 heads were 58cc chamber and 1.84/1.5 valves, while the 601 heads were 53cc chambers and 1.72/1.5 valve sizes. But heh, I've been wrong before. Is your 283 front sump or converted to rear sump/notched pan? There's a NOS set of .100 over 283 cast pistons for sale on that "auction site" right now; that would give you 297.8 cubes. They're cheap too, like $90.00. I'd buy them myself, but have too many projects going on already. Rings for a .100 over 283?; Mopar 318 CID motors + .060 = 3.970 or file to fit 4" rings? Almost a 301/302, low geared close ratio Saginaw 4-speed and 355:1 in a light Nova and it would be quick! The trouble with those boxey Nova/Chevy II's is the brakes, and then the front suspension. My wagon was a 333, powerglide/4500 stall, 4;88:1 posi car, PLAIN JANE, and scary fast; really scary on the brakes sometimes. Powertrain is in my 56' Sedan Delivery now, only Borg Warner Super T-10 2.64 first gear, but stll have the glide/converter. Fun cars those little Nova/Chevy II's. Have fun with yours, mine got rear ended/totaled by insurance/bought back for my parts. Junior Stocker.

[TANGO]

The ones that came off the 1985 305HO that I have are #601 And they are 184in/150ex 55cc heads . I did see #434 and #450s with 172in valves . The HO #601s look like this . Maybe the non HO305s had the 172in ?

[junior stocker]

And, with 80's heads you're going to get hardened seats for the quality gas we have now (no lead). Looks like you still have the 6 cylinder radiator in your car; better switch that out to the V-8 version as it won't do the job. Is'nt it nice, everyone wants to spend your money for you. Junior Stocker.

[TANGO]

Machine Shop Tom have you ever built up one of these 283s ? I have installed cams and intakes mild build up . Back then the only thing we did to the heads was go with the larger intake valves . I know that the 283s can be bored out a lot . Some say 0.100 . How would you build one of these ? And what kind of HP do you think it may have . This guy said he is on a budget ? Thanks TANGO