283 and a Slight Hop Up

[scootermcrad]

I have a nice little 283 from a '65 with powerpack heads that I'll be dropping in my '64 C10 to replace the tired I6. I'm keeping it factory looking under the hood as much as possible, but would like some suggestions on some minor hop ups for this engine since I'll be doing a refresh and may as well make it suitable for the purpose of the truck.

I would like to replace the cam with something a little bit more lumpy, but would still be okay for some towing (worst case a car on a trailer). Nothing too rowdy, but adds a little something. Anyone have a suggestion on cam kit? I have a TH400 to back it all up as well.

I'm replacing the 2bbl stock intake with a 4bbl intake (nothing fancy) and would like to get a carb that's correct or correct looking for a late 60's build. I'll make some mods to adapt the air cleaner so it looks correct. Carter? Holley? Something else?

Last, I need a dizzy for the engine. Was thinking just stock with a good coil. Is there anything else I should consider? A later distributor? I definitely don't want HEI.

In case it matters for the sake of discussion, the feel I'm going for with the truck is something that might be seen in the parking lot of a high school in the late 60's/early 70's that some kid lowered and hot rodded just a bit. Mostly stock looking, but with a great stance, and with the right exhaust sounds a little nasty.

Thanks for any suggestion guys!
S

[65truckowner]

Great engine. I have one in my 67 impala ss. If you run the exhaust out the back glasspacks would sound great and have that 60s sound.

[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

Great engine. I have one in my 67 impala ss. If you run the exhaust out the back glasspacks would sound great and have that 60s sound.

Definitely!

[Warrens69GMC]

FWIW, i would lose the power pack heads, get a set of 80-85 305 heads, 80-86 aluminum intake, do a HEI module UNDER the stock 283 distributor, XE256 Comp Cam

[Captainfab]

This \/ \/

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

FWIW, i would lose the power pack heads, get a set of 80-85 305 heads, 80-86 aluminum intake, do a HEI module UNDER the stock 283 distributor, XE256 Comp Cam

You do not want a lumpy cam if you are going to be doing any towing, especially with a 283.

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

This \/ \/



You do not want a lumpy cam if you are going to be doing any towing, especially with a 283.

XE256 isn't at all lumpy.

[maydaymike]

A 500cfm Edelbrock carb should work pretty good right out of the box.

[65chevysub]

I've got a 283 in my 65 Sub and it's all stock looking as well. I put an Ignitor kit under my stock dist. cap about 20 years ago, and its still going strong.
I'm debating whether to have my 283 rebuilt again, or get a 350.

[Captainfab]

In a 350 it is not, but in a 283 it will idle and run differently.

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

XE256 isn't at all lumpy.

[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

FWIW, i would lose the power pack heads, get a set of 80-85 305 heads, 80-86 aluminum intake, do a HEI module UNDER the stock 283 distributor, XE256 Comp Cam

Great suggestions and I've heard that about the 305 heads before.

I called Comp and Summit and asked for some suggestions as well, and the XE256 was one that was suggested as well as the next step up, which had a slight bit more lift.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-k12-239-3

The limiting factor is going to be the budget. I can't let this escalate out of control or the truck will never see the road in a reasonable time frame.

Love the HEI under the cap idea. Is this the Ignitor module mentioned by 65chevysub? I'll check that out. Is there a thread on here regarding that conversion?

In all reality, I'll probably rarely pull something as heavy as a car on a trailer. Once a year, maybe? And it would probably be a small car (model A or similar sized hot rod). More likely would be a small single axle trailer for a lumber or gravel load, or maybe a small "canned ham" travel trailer on occasion, if we get one. Nothing serious here, folks.

I've always liked that Edelbrock carb. Nice setup. I have one on a 350 and has always been dependable. Might be a bit too spiffy looking for the underhood appearance I'm after, but maybe I can tone it down a bit.

What about a QuadraJet from this era? Are they still affordable and easy to rebuild? I need to see what 4bbl manifold I have for this thing.

Thanks for all the input guys! Super, super helpful! Hopefully I don't sound too picky. Concerned about budget. I still have to get the rest of the truck together and go through the TH400 also. This truck needs a lot, top to bottom. I want to do the engine right, but I don't want to go down the SBC slippery slope. There's a ton available for these little small blocks and it's super easy to go nuts and replace about everything on them. Just want a good reliable engine I can depend on and have a fun little truck I can drive to work everyday. The era correctness appearance is important to me also, though.

[Softpatch]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

FWIW, i would lose the power pack heads, get a set of 80-85 305 heads, 80-86 aluminum intake, do a HEI module UNDER the stock 283 distributor, XE256 Comp Cam

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I second & third This...... This is sound advice.......
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[Fatherof3]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

FWIW, i would lose the power pack heads, get a set of 80-85 305 heads, 80-86 aluminum intake, do a HEI module UNDER the stock 283 distributor, XE256 Comp Cam

^Do this^

And do some research on the 305 heads. Some came with pretty small chambers and OK valves sizes for a 283.





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[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by Fatherof3

^Do this^

And do some research on the 305 heads. Some came with pretty small chambers and OK valves sizes for a 283.


.

I'm starting do think more about the 305 heads. There are a couple complete 305's for sale locally for pretty cheap. I have to have the heads gone through anyway, so if I can find some heads cheap around here, I'll probably go for it.

[rvrfoot]

I am rebuilding a 1961 impala with the stock 283 motor.I am looking for up grades also.

[andyh1956]

I can give you a recipe for a 283 that I guarantee you'll like. Just like I posted earlier. Basic block assy w/ the power pack heads you already have. The stock dist w/ a petronix & recurve kit will do fine. I always used Headman headers. A set of z28 valve springs & retainers, a double roller timing chain, and a z28 hp spring for the std volume oil pump. A stock iron 4 bl intake w/ a Rochester 4-jet carb. For a cam use the old 350 / 350 cam pn 3896962. It will have a slight lope at idle & pull from the time you touch the throttle. If you can afford them a set of two valve relief pistons will give a slight comp increase or you deck the block .010" or both.
This will build a really good running 283.

[AcampoDave]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=580055 this was a good discussion from a while back

[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=580055 this was a good discussion from a while back

Nice! Thank you!

[AcampoDave]

Keep us updated. I'm interested and wish you well.

[Warrens69GMC]

you could use most of this if you can get it for 150 or less
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/pts/5645165451.html

[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

you could use most of this if you can get it for 150 or less
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/pts/5645165451.html

Now that's some resourceful thinking! Great thought! THANKS!

[scootermcrad]

Bumping this back up for some carb talk. I think tossing a little Edelbrock 500 on there is probably the easiest solution and I think I may even have a line on one for super cheap (maybe free?).

What 4bbls would have been used by Chevy from 64 to 70 (ish)? Did all the GM standard carbs in this time frame have the same mounting pattern?

[AcampoDave]

I use the 500 cfm Eddy (1404) on my 283. It's jetted for performance and dual quad applications out of the box. I had to lean mine out 2 stages in the cruise mode to get it optimized for my motor. Around town throttle response is crisp and smooth, but I had to use an insulating type base gasket because it would "percolate" after shutting down on hot days.

[andyh1956]

I ran a 283 bored .030 in high school, screamin little engine! This is the recipe:
.030 over 1957 block
1966 power pack heads
hp std flow oil pump
old Vette double point distributor (remember this was 1969) Later changed to a Sanderson mag
350 cube 350 hp L82 GM cam p/n 3896962 (best little cam EVER for a 283!)
flat top pistons / two valve reliefs
old style Rochester 4-jet carb for a 327
set of Headman full length headers

I raced this car HARD & never blew it! I later changed to a two four setup w/ double hump heads & lost all of the low end power, keep the power packs!
Cam will give a slight "lumpy" idle, not bad like the old 327 / 350 hp "151" cam will.

[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by andyh1956

I ran a 283 bored .030 in high school, screamin little engine! This is the recipe:
.030 over 1957 block
1966 power pack heads
hp std flow oil pump
old Vette double point distributor (remember this was 1969) Later changed to a Sanderson mag
350 cube 350 hp L82 GM cam p/n 3896962 (best little cam EVER for a 283!)
flat top pistons / two valve reliefs
old style Rochester 4-jet carb for a 327
set of Headman full length headers

I raced this car HARD & never blew it! I later changed to a two four setup w/ double hump heads & lost all of the low end power, keep the power packs!
Cam will give a slight "lumpy" idle, not bad like the old 327 / 350 hp "151" cam will.

Great story! Thanks for sharing that!

[scootermcrad]

Finally got a chance to look at that GM intake I have. It is a 283/327 4bbl manifold for 62-63 Corvette. Is this a standard bore and pattern size? Seems narrow, but might be an optical illusion.

The manifold is just like this one
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KCsAAO...OP/s-l1600.jpg

I'm going to have to ditch this thing, aren't I? Looking like I'll have to run an adapter. I hate adapters. If so, any recommendations on a nice dual-plane intake to run with a Edelbrock 1403 with either of the cams we talked about above?