confused on engine casting numbers
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Sounds like you got it narrowed down. Going off your pictures I was going to say the heads are pre 1968 because of no accessory holes drilled in them.
Also looking at the picture of the back of the block I see what look like a road draft tube.
I'm not sure when they stopped using road draft ventilation but I think it could date this motor back to the 50's.
Also looking at the picture of the back of the block I see what look like a road draft tube.
I'm not sure when they stopped using road draft ventilation but I think it could date this motor back to the 50's.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 60
From: CA
TII5GF NOT 6F
Check the numbers again, or better yet, post a good picture of the pad.
And Id'ing the heads isn't really going to help since most small block heads fit on most small block blocks! However, your heads are post 1959 (valve cover bolts straight accross from each other), and pre 1969 (like gtlow said, no accessory bolt holes.)
Ed
Last edited by restoman1; Feb 13, 2012 at 09:09 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Sonoma Ca.
Sounds like you got it narrowed down. Going off your pictures I was going to say the heads are pre 1968 because of no accessory holes drilled in them.
Also looking at the picture of the back of the block I see what look like a road draft tube.
I'm not sure when they stopped using road draft ventilation but I think it could date this motor back to the 50's.
Also looking at the picture of the back of the block I see what look like a road draft tube.
I'm not sure when they stopped using road draft ventilation but I think it could date this motor back to the 50's.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What's all the boo-hiss about the 283? They fine little engines; GM made a ga-zillion of them. They were all you could get in a Corvette for 57-61. Yours has a pair of power-pak heads.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
I was plannin on hot rodding my car, with the intentions of re-building the "327" that I though it was. and 195 horsepower 283 does not even come close to the engine i thought it was, and doesn't have the potential a 327 or 350 etc would have, i mean they can scream, sound mean and run good but not as quick as a built 327 especially a 350 and so on. plus this car, doesn't scream 195 HP, it says, try and keep up in my opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Nice looking car. I'd like to have a 55 or 57. I think I'll look around for one. Took my driving test in a 57.
Engine wise, you should be able to get a horse per inch out of it without getting to crazy.
Engine wise, you should be able to get a horse per inch out of it without getting to crazy.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: Grants Pass Oregon
I was plannin on hot rodding my car, with the intentions of re-building the "327" that I though it was. and 195 horsepower 283 does not even come close to the engine i thought it was, and doesn't have the potential a 327 or 350 etc would have, i mean they can scream, sound mean and run good but not as quick as a built 327 especially a 350 and so on. plus this car, doesn't scream 195 HP, it says, try and keep up in my opinion.
I once had a '57 vette w/283 block that put out almost 500hp. It can be done.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: Grants Pass Oregon
power cost money.Back in the '60's i had a'56 chevy with a 283 bored out to 301 w/2x4's, 4 speed,and 456 rear,Turned high 12's in the 1/4 mile. My '57 vette, bored to 292, 12 1/2 -1 compression. 30-30 cam,202 heads, 2/4's ,4 speed, 411 rear. It can be done old school.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Same stroke as the 302 Z28 just a little a little smaller bore. Just keep the RPMs up. It's just a challange. The challange is whaat makes it interesting. Anyone with enough money in their pocket can buy a 12 second engine delivered to their door.
To make a 12 second car within certain restrictions would be satisfying. Like nascar, make the fastest car you can within a cu. in. restriction.
Without size limits, you can put together a poor combination and get to the 12s. Get there within 283 cu. in. your combination needs to be spot on. Or boost of one kind or another.
To make a 12 second car within certain restrictions would be satisfying. Like nascar, make the fastest car you can within a cu. in. restriction.
Without size limits, you can put together a poor combination and get to the 12s. Get there within 283 cu. in. your combination needs to be spot on. Or boost of one kind or another.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
After this disscussion I decided to try something. I had the guy who grinds my cranks for me turn down a 350 3.48 stroke crank to small journal and see what comes of a stroked 283. I think around a 333 cu in result. Pistons will be a little expensive, but I'm curious as to the result. I got the crank back last week.
If it works out, I have a couple Nova blocks I may convert to stroker and test the market a little.
If it works out, I have a couple Nova blocks I may convert to stroker and test the market a little.
