GOOD SOURCES FOR 283 OR 262 ENGINES:

[Stewart G Griffin]

1) Do you know of any good sourcs for 283 engines?

a) i would prefer new---like the crate 350, but reman is cool too.

b)What about used?

1.5) OR, is there a way i can destroke a 350 or 305---maybe by swapping cranks?
a) what about sleving down?   Know anything about this?

2) I would also be interested in the 4.3 v-6-----262CID.

a) i would prefer new---like the crate 350, but GM, i don't think, sells it, so reman is cool too.

b)Assuming we can find them from a good source, is there a good EFI fuel system like the holley system?  ( i don't think the holley system can work on a 6 cyl engine?)

3) What i'm really interested in is the 60 degree V-6-----173, 207, 234 CID.

a)If we can find a good aftermarket/reman source, i would need an adapter to match this engine to the Turbo 350 trans.   Do you know anything about this?

b) i know that this engine is plentiful in junkyards, but i would prefer to find it from other sources such as reman companies.  Or preferably GM if they sell it new.

[Captkaos]

to get a 283 you need a 3.875 bore (283 or 307) and a 3.00" stroke (302, 265 or 283 ) in the old style Gen I blocks.  Of course you would have to have the crank match the blocks journal size.

I don't know of anyone that offers a crate motor for that size.

4.3Ls were availible from 1985 - now in everything from Monte Carlos, Caprices, S-10s and fullsize pickups.
If you are wanting EFI, you can get them with a TBI setup starting about 1987.
If you want a crate motor, any dealership can get you one..  (they offere SEVERAL displacements)
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=151

What are you putting this in?  I wouldn't use anything less than a 4.3L in a fullsize pickup.

If you are after fuel mileage, you can get a 4.8L out of a fullsize 99-up pickup for little to nothing.  Locally I can get them all day long for $500 with a 90 day warranty.

[Stewart G Griffin]

I guess Jasper is the best i could find;   About 2 grand for a 262 small block.  It comes with a 3 yr/ 75,000 mile warranty.


I think this is probably cheaper and easier than sleving down and/or destroking a 305.

My goal would probably be to put holley fuel injection on the 262.

2)It may go in the pickup.  Or a nova or elcamino.  Or?

2a)  Don't worry about speed---i'm doing it for mileage.   I drive real slow anyways.

[Captkaos]

The link I posted had several 4.3L's listed for under $2000.  BTW, normally local dealers will match or beat these prices on the internet by about $200-300.
What did Jasper offer that is different than what GM is listing? 

A 4.8L out of a new model truck will put a 73-87 in the 20mpg range with nothing done to it.  I know of a one converted that is getting 22mpg out of a 6.0L, and the 4.8L comes with fuel injection.  For $2000, you can get a 4.8L, a 4L60E the wiring harness and all of the pieces to convert the truck.

[Stewart G Griffin]

The 262 at Jasper is a v-8.   I would rather have the 8 cylinder for interchangeabilty----exhaust manifolds and distributors bolt right in.   Plus, i'm wondering if a 6 would bolt right in?   I know that the trans will bolt right up, but the engine is shorter.

As far as the 4.8, what CID is that?   The 350 in the truck now gets about 20;  I feel this is due to the low restriction exhaust, 2.56 rear and that fact that i don't drive faster than 65.  My realistic goal is about 25-27mpg.

How hard (and costly) would it be to tranfer the 4.8 to a 73-87 chassis?   Are you talking about running it with the electronics and F.I.   or swapping intakes?

[Captkaos]

4.8L Vortec is 293 cid.
I don't think the 262 V8 will get better mileage then the 350 especially if it is getting 20mpg now.  Plus it will require more gear to produce the same amount of umph as the 350 to get the truck going, so you are going to need more throttle/gas to offset the displacement loss.

My '87 gets 19 in the city and 23 on the highway and it is TBI.  If you are carb'd and are actually getting 20mpg average, you are getting great mileage.  When was the last time you actually checked it.  For the trouble and cost of the swap it will take you a while to recover the cost for just a 5mpg gain.

The 4.3L will bolt in place of the 350,  it is just a 350 block with 2 cylinders cut off.

I am talking about swapping a running/driving Vortec in place using all electronics.  You don't want to remove the EFI, that is the whole benefit of the swap.  How difficult, not more than any other replacement other than routing new fuel lines.  (something you are going to have to do if you go to TBI anyway)  How costly, well as I said, you can typically pickup a 4.8L for little money.  In Alabama, my friend just picked one up with 8000 miles with the computer wiring and trans for $1200.
This is my documentation of putting a 6.0L/4L80E in my 73-87 pickup.  http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5225.0

[Stewart G Griffin]

I forgot about the other idea and that's changing a v-8 to a v-4.

I think this is the cheapest and easiest way for me.

I will probably start in a few months and will be discussing it (with pictures) here.

I have a 305 sitting and will probably experiment with that.

Again, don't worry about power because i drive real slow.

[Captkaos]

Not a good idea unless you are going to change to a sequential EFI setup that triggers fuel and spark for the cylinders.  If you are running a carb, how are you going to keep all the gas evenly distrubuted to the actual working cylinders?  You will end up using more gas than saving, and what are you going to do about the pressure build up of the cylinders you are removing the pushrods from.  You can't remove the plugs or you will be losing oil AND pulling in debris.  Plus, it probably won't be able to pull itself out of its own way.  Easy experiment is remove 4 spark plugs and drive it all day.  It will probably overheat if you can even get it moving.

I am telling you if you switch to a 4.8L/4L60E, you can get 26mpg out of these trucks.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Just from looking for other stuff, i happened to come across another source for 262's  (yes, i'm hard-headed).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-1976-CHEVY-262-V8-LONG-BLOCK_W0QQitemZ130120078837QQihZ003QQcategoryZ33615QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It doesn't say anything about warranty, but i figure even if it is junk i can rebuid it cheap myself?

The only thing that might be different is the crank (unusual stroke?).   And the pistons size might be unusual.  But i'm sure places like PAW sell them?  (hopefully?)

I'm sure i can use a variety of rod sizes?
And bearings?  Hopefully?

I'm sure somebody sells a rebuild kit for 262's?

[dumbucket1]

in a big heavy truck your not going to gain any mpg out of a 262 in fact your probably going to lose mpg whether you drive real slow or not.

[123 pugsy]

Take it from someone who's tried to get milage from a pickup and failed. I had a 283 with a 700r4 tranny.I threw out the thrust bearing and smoked the crank in 3000 miles.The piece of junk couldn't go up a slight grade without kicking down into passing gear.Had to drive in third on the highway and keep putting my foot into the gas pedal. The 350 I have now with the TH350 gets better milage than the 283.
Our company truck, a 2000 Chevy with a 4.3 V6 and overdrive gets amazing milage.Not sure of the exact figure, but the gage doesn't move much on a long trip. It would appear that the fuel injection and electronics on this vehicle keep it running at optimal economy.