250, 235. or 283

[MITCH 50 3100]

OK WELL HERE GOES I'VE BEEN READING THE TOPICS FOR A WHILE. NEW TO THIS FORUM (NATE PLEASE BE EASY ON ME) YOUR ALREADY WONDERING ABOUT THE 283.SHE'S A 1950 3100 3SPD. 1/2 TON TUB DRIVE SHAFT.I CURRENTLY HAVE A 250 '63 BOLTED UP TO A 3SPD. ON THE COLUMN.HERE GOES,CAN I BOLT UP THE 283 TO MY PERCHES AND INSTALL THE 265 (55-56) LEFT MANIFOLD AND CLEAR THE INFAMOUS STEERING BOX.THE CROSS MEMBER IS VERY CLEANLY INSTALLED.LET ME HAVE IT............ MITCH

 

[coilover]

Mitch, when you say tube driveshaft do you mean the torque tube(enclosed) driveshaft or the open driveshaft where you can see the front and rear U-joints? If it is the latter then the V8 swap would be easier, and the 250 bellhousing will bolt up to the V8. Since it already has the 250 and a differant crossmember I'd guess it has the open shaft. The 265 manifold WILL clear the gearbox. We're getting a 51 in about two months from for this swap and I'll take some pics of the mounted engine. By the way, your radiator will cool a 283 if in good shape with the fan spaced right and maybe a shroud. Lot's go with the electric fan but you have to cut the round core support brace rods which I guess does'nt cause trouble, but I hate to do it.

 

[MITCH 50 3100]

Ya I should say torque tube driveshaft.And I don't really know if the trans. is stock the truck is from Tenn.and has that clay stuff all over I have to look a little closer.I think the bell housing converts the org. trans. to the 250 6cyl..But it is a 250-6cyl conversion,I'm just wondering if the V8 would bolt up or what kind of motor mount I would need.Mind you I would even go with the 265 power is not the issue here,I realize I'm dealing with an antiquated drive train here,I'm not building this thing to do burn outs.I'll probably keep the 6.50/16" tires for better higher end,and maybe change the rear gear you guys talk about.And I know you guy love your 235's but if I'm not goin with absalutly stock the (216) with the billet? barrings than whats the dif. other than the 235 looks very close to stock other than the valve cover which to me looks very dif. than original.......I'm tryin to make sense .and those pics would be great.thanks Evan

 

[vwnate1]

If you have a 250 in there now then dropping a 283 in should be a snap .

If that's what you want , GO for it , if it's a used engine be smart and pop a new timing chain and gears into it now whilst the engine is aprt as 99 % of these have old , stretched , floppy timing chains that rob power....


BTW : NAPA makes the ram's horn exhaust manifolds , NEW ~ I ran across an exhaust manifold catilog recently , it dissapeared fast but not before I saw those in it .

-Nate

 

[MITCH 50 3100]

Hey nate thanks for the advise .I'm lookin at a 283 i'll see if it's worth it.I got ya on the ram horn exhaust manifold...a new timing chain for sure...Will my existing motor mounts work?

 

[vwnate1]

RE: TF 283 Motor Mounts

IIRC you'll be using the cute little rods that have rubber donuts on them and the upper ends bolt to the front of the 283 cylinder block via " L " shaped , sheet metal brackets , it was a 100 % bolt in operation when I did it some 30 years ago....

(did I mention I don't like V-ates ?)

-Nate

 

[MITCH 50 3100]

RE: TF 283 Motor Mounts

very cool nate ... after all this i'm going to stay with the 250 for now ,lack of money ... if any one in chicago or can deliver a good running small block for under $500 hit me up .I will waite for a good 283 caz I love that engine ...my 250 runs rich,I have tuned it up and adj. valves rebuilt carb .next i'm lookin at the timing chain,it also hesitates and i have to feather the gas very much to drive it .if I could get it runnin better I wouldn't be so Quick to change it.How much fur a new carby and do the old ones even rebuild good.Any other areas i'm missin? thanks again

 

[vwnate1]

RE: 230 ??

Ah ;

You _CANNOT_ adjust the valves on a 230 CID inline 6 cylinder as they're hydraulic...

I'd check the points dwell and ignition timing then set the carby idle adjustment using a vacuum gauge , that'll get rid of the flat spot you mentioned , yes , the Rochester BC carby is -very- rebuildable .

283's are getting hard to find as most folks junk then in lieu of a smallblock 350 when the 283 gets tired , it is a simple thing to dress a 350 to _look_ just like a 283 or even a 265... rocker boxes and manifolds are the main thing .

Jeeze ~ how did I get dragged into talking about V-ates ?

-Nate

 

[MITCH 50 3100]

RE: 230 ??

lol. Aren't v8s great.ya know I was talkin to my brother and he said the same thing about dressing up another small block ta look like the 283....he wants ta sell me some ##### box 305 he's got layin around...um I have a vacuum gauge could ya go over how ta set it and where ta connect it? It's a 1963 I'm pritty sure it's a 250, i tried like hell to run the #s and also talked to a good machine shop and they couldn't even help me.....also I have an old sears engine analizer could I check out the distributor with it? After they came out with the solid state ignition I swaped out all my old small blocks way back then and never looked back at points systems.so it's been a while...........

 

[vwnate1]

RE: Tune Up

Mitch ;

It prolly is a 230 then .

I gotta go but I will happliy write a how to about the vacuum gauge and the Sears engine anylizer as those are good tools to use , will you remind me next week please ? I'm getting rerady for major surgery and my annual Death Valley camping trip right now..

DON'T forget to remind me ! .

-Nate