rebuild or replace 283 v8

[javanaut]

Just seeking opinions and advice on whether a '66 C10 with a 283 v8 has the capacity to make moderate amounts of HP. I'm not expecting anything huge, but is this block capable of making something in the ballpark of 300hp (without nitro or forced induction)? I know the stock 283 supposedly tops out around 170hp, and I assume that with some minor mods could get near 200.

There's a chance that this engine might need to be rebuilt and I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort.

Thanks (again)

[chevy283]

rebuild it! i rebuilt mine pretty much stock and i love it.

[mbgmike]

I would keep it also

[javanaut]

For those tracking my progress with this truck, here's a pic I took of it after getting it ready for transport:

[zenish]

if it needs rebuilt a 350 will swap right in.

[chevy283]

A 350 is not as cool as a 283 ether tho.

[JRB]

I would bet that if you look close and run some numbers on that motor you will find that it has powerpac heads on it. If they are that means you have 60cc combustion chamers. The valves are kind of small in these heads but if you put a beter intake, carb and headers you will find a noticible difference in performance. I would also recommend going with an HEI and an internal voltage alternator/regulator. The 283 was a great little motor with a lot of rev potential. I would keep it. For about 600 dollars you could have a respectable motor. All of this depends on how solid the bottom end of the motor is. Are you burning any oil or hearing any knocks?
JRB

[javanaut]

Originally Posted by JRB

I would bet that if you look close and run some numbers on that motor you will find that it has powerpac heads on it. If they are that means you have 60cc combustion chamers. The valves are kind of small in these heads but if you put a beter intake, carb and headers you will find a noticible difference in performance. I would also recommend going with an HEI and an internal voltage alternator/regulator. The 283 was a great little motor with a lot of rev potential. I would keep it. For about 600 dollars you could have a respectable motor. All of this depends on how solid the bottom end of the motor is. Are you burning any oil or hearing any knocks?
JRB

I'll have to do some more research on the engine. Would a different cam be of use here? I'm not familiar enough with the chevy V8 to know what a 60cc chamber means for compression ratio, etc. I do like the idea of the HEI upgrade. At this point, I haven't started the engine up yet (somebody put diesel in it a while back) but supposedly, it ran fine up until that point (10 years ago). I'm curious to see what anybody else has done to their 283 in terms of performance upgrades and what results they got. Thanks!

[JRB]

The big limitation on the heads are the Valve size. The 60cc heads just mean it has a higher compression ratio because of the smaller chamber size on the heads. I think though (Bang for buck) would be the HEI and an Edlebrock Performer Intake and a four barrel. Does the truck have a four barrel or two? Cams are cheap and do give you more performance but remember your working with a 40 year old motor so you may want to look at having the heads gone through and at least new valve springs and hardend seats before you go to a cam. I am sure you have rams horn exhaust manifolds so if you even went to a shorty header you would see an improvement from them. Wish you luck with your project.
JRB

[javanaut]

Originally Posted by JRB

The big limitation on the heads are the Valve size. The 60cc heads just mean it has a higher compression ratio because of the smaller chamber size on the heads. I think though (Bang for buck) would be the HEI and an Edlebrock Performer Intake and a four barrel. Does the truck have a four barrel or two? Cams are cheap and do give you more performance but remember your working with a 40 year old motor so you may want to look at having the heads gone through and at least new valve springs and hardend seats before you go to a cam. I am sure you have rams horn exhaust manifolds so if you even went to a shorty header you would see an improvement from them. Wish you luck with your project.
JRB

This is just the type of info that I was looking for. Since I didn't do much beyond taking pictures, making sure the brakes and stuff worked, I neglected to notice whether it was a 2- or 4-barrel. I think I'm going to stick it out with the 283. It sounds like it is worth the effort to keep it around assuming I can work with it.

I realized today now that I'm home that my garage was quite trashed and was in need of some spring cleaning. I can't wait to get this truck home

[Hutton64/65]

Looks like a good project. I'm in Denton 940-206-8483
1965 SWB w /283 3 speed
I'm wprking on a 700r4 conversion

[Leinie]

You are at the right place here! You will get more opinions than you need but you will also get more great information than you could ever expect! Opinion time-- on that 283--If you don't want it-- you will find lot's of interested buyers

[jgrh64]

good motor - likes to rev- use a 4:10 gear for power and an overdrive for economy. duel exhaust, 650 cfm 4 bbl, HEI or electronic conversion kit ,clevite 77 bearings , cam for allot of power use comp xe-262 or equal. Just don't go too big on anything and you'll have allot of power (fun).

[javanaut]

Originally Posted by jgrh64

good motor - likes to rev- use a 4:10 gear for power and an overdrive for economy. duel exhaust, 650 cfm 4 bbl, HEI or electronic conversion kit ,clevite 77 bearings , cam for allot of power use comp xe-262 or equal. Just don't go too big on anything and you'll have allot of power (fun).

Cool, thanks for the details. All of the overdrive systems I've seen are pretty expensive, but in theory, that's where I would want to go with it. Is the Pertronix HEI conversion kit popular with this setup? Do you know if their newer model (for $30 more) is much better than the older one?

Also, if the bottom end (stock) turns out to still be solid, is it worth the effort to take it apart and put in new bearings? I guess I'm asking what the consequenses of spinning an old bearing are. As per other suggestions, I'd hate to overstress the old block by overdoing it, but I do want to have much fun, so I'm willing to risk it a bit

[tkeduk8r]

if your looking ot go overdrive, I have a 2004r out of an 84 olds station wagon and love it... have less than 500 in the swap in my 74 c10 (and that was with the trans freshened) and cruise all day long at 75 @ 2200 RPM... pulls about 16-18mpg with a 305, 4bbl q-jet, and 3.73 on 31x10.5 bfgoody long trail ta's.... more food for thought...
--Mike

[javanaut]

I would actually be quite happy with a 4- or 5-speed manual with a floor shifter. Do they make one that will relatively easily swap in?

[JRB]

I have heard of people putting in a 5 speed from S10 model. Not sure which one it is but I think it was relatively cheap. But my Idea of cheap is anything less than $1000 is cheap. Have you looked at the FAQ String to see if there is any information on a 5 speed convertion?
JRB

[javanaut]

Originally Posted by JRB

I have heard of people putting in a 5 speed from S10 model. Not sure which one it is but I think it was relatively cheap. But my Idea of cheap is anything less than $1000 is cheap. Have you looked at the FAQ String to see if there is any information on a 5 speed convertion?
JRB

I've been passively searching for a 5-speed transmisison option for the 66 and haven't seen anybody who has done this. I've never owned a truck before, but it seems that truck owners tend to favor automatic transmisisons by far. I'm not generally a fan of them, myself. For me, an option that's under $1000 would be preferable. If I could find a straight salvage yard swap, or swap plus conversion brackets/shims/etc, then I would be quite happy.

Some basic FAQ searches didn't turn up much info aside from the auto trans/overdrive upgrade (700r4?) which I'm not looking for. I'll check again looking for an S10 trans swap.

[JRB]

JAVA,
I picked up my 200r4 out of a Olds stationwagon and actually drove it before I bought it for $300, I know there is a couple of kits that you have to install in the Tranny that cost another $150 before you would put it in your truck. I think a crossmember for it is around $100. Than means you could be in a 200r4 for about $500 to $600. The only other thing you would have to do is get a yoke for a 200r4 and have your drive shaft modified. I think a 200r4 is very doable for under $1000. I am going to put mine in my 67 eventually once its shortened. Good luck again with your project.
JRB

[javanaut]

Originally Posted by JRB

JAVA,
I picked up my 200r4 out of a Olds stationwagon and actually drove it before I bought it for $300, I know there is a couple of kits that you have to install in the Tranny that cost another $150 before you would put it in your truck. I think a crossmember for it is around $100. Than means you could be in a 200r4 for about $500 to $600. The only other thing you would have to do is get a yoke for a 200r4 and have your drive shaft modified. I think a 200r4 is very doable for under $1000. I am going to put mine in my 67 eventually once its shortened. Good luck again with your project.
JRB

Thanks, that sounds like just what I was looking for.

I found something funny when googling for more information about it:
200R4 (Olds)Transmisson Core or Parts - $50
Came out of my low mileage 1985 Oldsmoblie Hearse. Has 80,000 orginal miles (the first 60,000 were really slow) when drive and overdrive quit working, other gears worked fine.

[javanaut]

I'm just now realizing that the 200r4 is an automatic trans.

[jgrh64]

try a S-10 site, they do V8 conversions maybe someone ran a stick too

[Big_Chevy_man]

i was wondering where to get good high quality bottom end parts i have to rebuild mine it is a 283 from 63 to 65 and has the power pack heads a 600 cfm carb (a bit to much carb 4 a mostly stock engine) it ran low on oil after having it in the shop haveing the rear main seal replaced and oil pan i want more power from it

[truckdude239]

www.northernautoparts.com is a great place for rebuild kits you should be able to get a reman crank at any parts store or have your remaned at any machine shop

[283 Man]

283s are cool motor and you hip up the HP. on them..