283 engine swap
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 38
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283 engine swap
I have a 61 with a 283 230 hp 4 speed. Would like to swap for a 350 290 hp crate. Will all components fit? Harmonic balancer, flywheel, etc.The 283 will be re-built and re-installed later when I do a body-off.
Thanks, George
Thanks, George
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
if you buy one with a one piece rear main, you may need a new flywheel specific to the new mill
everything else should fit sans maybe the valve covers ..good luck...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,359
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From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
What is wrong with the 283? I am sure you could beef it up to run close to 290 HP.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne victoria
350 should bolt up spot on ! Use the 283 water pump I had trouble with the mount bracket loosening and causing the water pump to leak. I found that the block on the 350 was not letting the bracket sit flush so I die grinded the block until it sat flush. everything else just bolted up. It does good skids with the 350 more torque yippy ! But not standard Stewy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
350 should bolt up spot on ! Use the 283 water pump I had trouble with the mount bracket loosening and causing the water pump to leak. I found that the block on the 350 was not letting the bracket sit flush so I die grinded the block until it sat flush. everything else just bolted up. It does good skids with the 350 more torque yippy ! But not standard Stewy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne victoria
I think it will. I spaced my balancer out so the belts would line up straight if I remember. Nearly everything in Small block Chev is interchangeable. The 63 340 hp manifold should do the trick I think ? Stewy
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Pensacola, Florida War Eagle
If you are running a 4 speed, you might need
to put in a pilot bushing in the crank shaft.
290 horse crate motor is a great motor.
Nesmith Chevy has the base motor for $1900.
Plus free shipping. It would be hard to rebuild
a 350 for that amount.
to put in a pilot bushing in the crank shaft.
290 horse crate motor is a great motor.
Nesmith Chevy has the base motor for $1900.
Plus free shipping. It would be hard to rebuild
a 350 for that amount.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 38
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I was worried about hood clearance, but I guess that won't be a factor. I can get a super deal on the 290 hp, customer ordered and changed mind, no return policy on crate engines.
They just want to get rid of it. I win.
They just want to get rid of it. I win.
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
From: North Las Vegas Nevada
One of the primary differences you will have to deal with is the lack of a road draft tube on the 350.
You will either need to use valve covers with a pcv (assuming you are using an intake with an oil fill tube/vented cap) or modify the intake to accept a pcv if you want to use the original covers.
DT
Last edited by NOM61; Nov 17, 2010 at 02:13 AM.
Race Director
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
)no big deal to pull the balancer and install a spacer though...
Bill
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ohio
Put a 350 crate in my 58 Vette and I had hood clearance issues with the air cleaner-- air conditioner compressor. I put on a serpintine belt driven system. The guys at Pace Automotive said I would have a problem with it and they were right.
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
From: North Las Vegas Nevada
Much better to start with either a short block or basic long block, then add the appropriate intake manifold, carb, air cleaner, and exhaust manifold mounted accessories. Everything from the 283 will work - the blocks are dimensionally the same.
A larger harmonic balancer and a modified pcv system are the only real changes required from the 283 if you are using a 2 piece rear main gen 1 350.
DT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne victoria
Fully dressed crate motors are not the best way to go. A tall dual plane manifold with a big 3 inch filter sitting on top of the carb will never clear and as you found out, the head mounted accessories and potentially a long water pump can be a problem.
Much better to start with either a short block or basic long block, then add the appropriate intake manifold, carb, air cleaner, and exhaust manifold mounted accessories. Everything from the 283 will work - the blocks are dimensionally the same.
A larger harmonic balancer and a modified pcv system are the only real changes required from the 283 if you are using a 2 piece rear main gen 1 350.
DT
Much better to start with either a short block or basic long block, then add the appropriate intake manifold, carb, air cleaner, and exhaust manifold mounted accessories. Everything from the 283 will work - the blocks are dimensionally the same.
A larger harmonic balancer and a modified pcv system are the only real changes required from the 283 if you are using a 2 piece rear main gen 1 350.
DT
Race Director
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
i have noticed no issues with the smaller balancer.
Bill