Another 283 Story

[Jay2D2]

So heres the deal.  I was just given a 283 that was rebuilt awhile back with no miles on it.  My uncle rebuilt it several year ago and put it in a F-Body he was restoring but never finished.  I can honestly say it was a quality rebuild with quality parts.  Putting this engine in my truck seems much more economically feasible at this point un time then rebuilding the 305 I have in there now, Im in the middle of selling one house and buying another before winter comes so time and money is tight as I am sure most of you can relate to right now.  I do not race my truck, nor do I pull a heavy load in a trailer or in the box.  The truck seldom leaves the village and if does then Im not going far with it.  Will this engine work well for around town driving in my truck, a 1984 C10.  I do plan on eventually building an engine for this but that will not be before late next summer at best and I do not want to park her until then.
Which brings me to my following questions,
1 - Will the 283 bolt right in place of my 305, ie same mount locations and transmission bolt pattern?
2 - Does the 283 use the same intake manifold as the larger displacement small blocks, will a Edelbrock 2101 fit on it?
3 - What amount of CFM will be good for this engine, as I will be putting a new carb on it?
4 - Anything else I need to know or should consider?

[eventhorizon66]

1- Yes
2- Yes
3- about 500 cfm
4- It won't make much torque relative to a decent 350.  If you are set on using it, you may want to compensate for the torque deficit with gearing.  But if it's just for puttering around town it will do fine.

[Jay2D2]

I'm not too worried about torque for the moment,  later plans will cover that.  As long I can still get her up over a hundred(kilometers that is) when I need too then I'll be fine until I do my other engine.

Also with this engine I was given a 4 speed manual from a late 70's F-Body, Would this be a feasible transmission for this truck, at the moment it's an auto 350.

[Captkaos]

what heads are on it?  And are there all the accessories you need?
Size wise it is fine.

[Jay2D2]

I'm not sure of which heads are on it, I havn't picked up the engine yet but you did remind me of my other 2 questions

Will I be able to use the alternator/power steering pump/starter thats on my 84?
Also what about exhaust manifolds? Would the ones from 84 fit on and mount to my exhaust like stock or would I be better to adapt the 283 manifolds?

[choptop]

The exhaust manifolds will fit just fine, but your problems may lie with the accessories. Factory 283 heads did not have the bolt hole for the accessories like the 84 uses. If they have been changed, you will probably be ok. If they are the original heads, you will have to use the accessory brackets for the 283 and may have to fab some power steering hoses. I think thats where Capt was heading.

[Jay2D2]

Ok I understand where you're going and I'll look into what I have to deal with for accesories.  Actually the heads on my 84 are probably from the mid 70s if that changes thing...

[Blue 82]

Some concerns:
1. if your 305 has 7 bolt heads, the exhaust manifolds will not fit on the 283 (7 bolt holes on the exhaust flange for the 305, 6 bolt holes for the 283)
To be sure, measure the distance between the 2 front ex manifold bolts on the passenger side cylinder #2, then measure the distance between the 2 front bolts on the drivers side cylinder #1. If the spacing on the passenger side bolts are 3/4" different, the exhaust manifolds will not fit on a 283.

2. If the 283 heads are not drilled for accessories, you alternator, PS pump, AIR pump and AC Compressor will not bolt up. If you are just running an alternator, you will need to make or purchase brackets. The stock 283 used the drivers side ex manifold to mount the "generator".

3. The 283 crank snout is not drilled, you will need to drill/tap this if you plan on changing pulleys. The dampner is pressed on, but not retained by a bolt on a 283.

4. Check to see if the 283 flexplate is drilled for your torque converter. Your converter may or may not bolt up depending on what you have.

5. I recall having some problems putting a 168 tooth flywheel on a 283, but that was 30 years ago. If you do put a 168 tooth flexplate on a 283, make sure the starter engages before you drop it in. The problem is that the 283 block was drilled for the 153 tooth starter. Compare your starter mounting pad bolt patterns before you start

6. The 283 uses a short water pump, the 305 uses the long water pump, not a problem as long as you address #3 above.

I'm sure there's some other stuff, that I'll think of later.