250 to 283 engine swap

[66bumpytruck]

I have a 283 going into my 66 stepside. Taking out the 250 6cyl. The bell housings are not quite the same, the 283 having one more mounting bolt to the engine and the starter also mounts to the bell housing as well as one bolt into the engine. It looks as if it will fit in the truck ok as far as motor mounts go. But clutch linkage is going to be a problem. I was just going to swap the cluth forks so I could use my 66 linkage but its to wide to fit the slot in the side of the bell housing. Do they make aftermarket cluth forks that are narrow that I can use the 66 linkage with?? If not I need to figure out what kind of linkage is supposed to go with it.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly apppeciated.

[Greg63]

Take a look here - it may answer some of your swap questions.
I believe the 250 and 230 are similar externally.
Greg

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=285825

[66bumpytruck]

I must have an older 283 because the bellhousings are not the same. The starter on the 283 bolts to the bellhousing as well as to the block. I wish I could use the housing from the 6cyl because the starter mounts to the housing only, but it has 6 mounting holes and the 283 housing has 7.
Im trying to find pictures of the clutch fork on the 283 with the clutch linkage hooked up so I can see how this is suppose to work. Then maybe I can tell what the 283 came out of in the first place

[oldblu65]

Bumpy , I have a '65 C10 that came w/ 230 , 3 speed . I put a '67 Chevelle 283 into it recently . I used the original 6 cylinder bellhousing , the original ( I6 )flywheel , the original (I6) starter bolted to the b/housing , the original ( although a new one ) clutch and the original z-bar . I did have to buy a new pivot ball as the original 6 cylinder ball was made different and unusable .The original motor mounts were used after the 6 cylinder extensions were removed . If I can help you with anything else , don't hesitate to ask ! good luck !

[greg64]

66bumpy, something's not making sense to me. Can you post pictures of the back of the 250 and 283 blocks? These ought to be the same.

[66bumpytruck]

Hey thanks for the info. The bell from the 283 has one more mounting hole than the 250 bell, it's located at the top center. I'll try to get some pics posted so you can see what I'm talking about. I wonder if the 250 is a just a differant animal all by its self.
If all else fails I guess I can use the 283 bell and just fabrcate some linkage.
I've been sweating how the motor mounts were going to work out,its good to hear from someone thats done it and it does work.

[billydonn]

Bolt the V-8 to the I-6 bellhousing and connect everything... then enjoy driving your vehicle. It could not be easier. I've been using the original I-6 bellhousing on the SBC engine for years. You can still use the I-6 starter bolting it into the bellhousing.

The 250 is just a stroked 230... same outside dimensions. There's nothing unique about it.

[billydonn]

Clarification: Use ALL of the original 250 components- bellhousing, clutch, clutch linkage, starter... it all fits.

[66bumpytruck]

Going to use the I6 bell and all the stuff like you said. I started comparing things and noticed quite a differance in the size of the clutch between the two the V8 one considerably larger. Hope the 6cyl clutch will be ok

[billydonn]

Originally Posted by 66bumpytruck

Going to use the I6 bell and all the stuff like you said. I started comparing things and noticed quite a differance in the size of the clutch between the two the V8 one considerably larger. Hope the 6cyl clutch will be ok

Unless you have a monster racing engine, you will be fine.

[Tomsriv]

Why a 283? Are you going for pure stock? I am just wondering, because the 283 doesn't really play to its strengths in a truck. The bore/stroke configuration are better suited to a reving, higher rpm motor, not a torque motor.

[66bumpytruck]

Well the price was right and I'm not looking for a hot rod truck. I'm going to run the stock 2bbl carb, and an HEI distributer, along with dual exahust. I'm just using it for a daily driver.