[crtrett]

Hi all,
I'm a retired Auto tech. I've always specialized in suspension, alignment and brakes. I drive a '64 Chevelle, and a '57 Chevy short bed my dream vehicles. I put a 327 out of a vette in my 64 with an early 700R4, runs amazing.
My question is, I'm putting the 283 out of my '64 in my pickup. The engine is very clean inside so I'm doing some mild torque related upgrades as I'll be pulling a Travel Trailer with it. It'll be a head turner for sure. Oh yeah, my question is I found some fresh vortec 062 heads that I was excited to find but now I find I can't or shouldn't use my stock pistons and intake. I'm thinking of staying with the flat top pistons even though it will reduce compression, any thoughts? Also, recommendation on intake and cam for low end torque would be appreciated.

[455olds]

Welcome to the site! I would post your question in the engine forum where more would see it. The Vortec heads do require the Vortec style intake but not sure on compression ratio.

[crtrett]

Thanks for the education.

[snakebit68]

You need a vortec friendly intake. Edelbrock offers a great version for carbs that operate well with the vortec heads. Your stock flat top pistons, coupled with the vortec heads with their small combustion chamber, will pump your compression ratio beyond pump gas friendly. A dished piston will lower the compression and make the vortec heads a viable option. They are great flowing heads

[crtrett]

I've been told that the Vortec heads would lower my compression.

[snakebit68]

It could, depending on what heads you originally had on it. Do you know what cc the cylinder heads are that are currently on the engine? Most GM heads are 76cc chambers. There were some that were 62 cc chambers. The vortec heads are 64cc chambers. If your current heads are 76cc chamber, the vortec heads would dramatically increase compression.

[crtrett]

Thanks, you're exactly right. I found out the original 283 has 60cc chambers, who knew? So it's a little less compression but it's all good, I can go ahead with the stock rebuild.

[vinniekq2]

283 is a very short stroke.no torque to be had there other than building horse power and using more gear for torque multiplication.
some vortec castings can be planed.
Love the 283,hope to build one someday soon.What RPM range are you planning for the 283? is it a 287 or 292? remember a 283 doesnt need a huge intake, a performer with a 650 is plenty. 1 5/8 headers are also plenty.

[F-BIRD'88]

a 283 does not make much torque.. A truck is heavy and needs torque to pull.

If said truck has the wrong axle gear ratio you may want to change that when using a 283CID engine.
Cause 283's ( especially when hot rodded at all) make their torque at a higher rpm.

64 cc vortec ehads on a flat top piston 283:
The resulting compression ratio will be very low. 8.5:1 or less depanding on gasket thickness and piston deck hgiht @ TDC.

A 283 is very very sensitive to low compression. You got to get the real compression ratio right to get the engine right or it is going to be lame. ( no torque)

with 64cc vortecs and low 8.5:1cr you can could supercharge your 283 to very good effect.
It will have a lot lot lot of torque. The weiand 142 blower or the edelbrock blower kit for vortec eahds wil work great on your low compression ratio vortec head 283. It will tow like a champ.

For a N/A 283 you want to correct the engine compression ratio . 8.5:1 is way too low.
Shave the vortec heads right to the intake valve seat edge to get the chamber volume down as much as possible. 56CC would be nice. Then install on the motor with a thin felpro head gasket .
This will get the cr up to 9.5:1ish . Now it can make some torque.
a short duration cam will help. do not get too carried away on the cam.
Its easy to over cam a 283.

Another cheap but effective alternative to the vortec head on a 283 is a reworked 305HO head
with home porting 1.94x 1.50 valve and some shaving.
start with a 4416 or a 601 305 head. these 305HO heads respond very nice to home porting and will really wake up a 283. The rest (the other 305 heads) are no better than the stock 283 head is. they are not all the same and not all desirable.
Again the finished chamber volume and gasket is critical or the cr will be too low.
It will never be too high. You want a chamber size of 53 to 56cc. for that 283.

60cc is too big and 64cc is way too big unless you supercharge that lil 283.

[1Gary]

The 283 is the wrong engine for a tow vehicle.To buzz it all the time will wear it out faster. Any practical answer in increasing the SCR will require you to buy the most expensive pump gas as well. And to increase the SCR in a tow vehicle increases it's likelihood for detonation under a heavy load.

[crtrett]

You guys have me thinking I've been a bone head. Looks like I'd be better off stroking the motor or just rebuilding the 235 6 that's in it.

Seriously, thanks for keeping me from some great disappointment.