283 popularity
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Myself i mostly (window) shop on Craigs List and all the small blocks from 265" to 400" are still there for sale. Theres just not enough inventory to say there is any specific prevailing price. The only real difficulty is finding a block with your engines "application code". If u want a corvette stamped app code block u may have to look farther away and drive farther away to get it also. But many of 283" completer motors are $100 and come and get it out of there garage. Something i do note it seems a lot of the 283" motors are packed in with dirt and sand and look like they just dug them up from under a sand pile.
I would expect ebay would see more blocks for sale and if your looking for a specific block that maybe a better source. The C1-C2 section for sale is also a good source. I almost got a 327" complete form pan to vlv covers for free there - couldnt make the drive to Utah though.
I would expect ebay would see more blocks for sale and if your looking for a specific block that maybe a better source. The C1-C2 section for sale is also a good source. I almost got a 327" complete form pan to vlv covers for free there - couldnt make the drive to Utah though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,922
Likes: 839
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Jenkins had good cranks and rods in those engines,the idea had to do with bearing speed.which lots of builders are concerned with today. Lots of guys running Honda bearings in different engines. Jenkins gets lots of credit he well deserves but other guys were just as sharp.sadly they didn't get the press.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
The baby LS 4.8 is 293 cubes...I'd say small cubic inch engines are still pretty popular.
Never got to mess with 'em much. There's a complete one for sale on my local Craiglist if anyone wants to check it out. NOT MINE!
Never got to mess with 'em much. There's a complete one for sale on my local Craiglist if anyone wants to check it out. NOT MINE!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,922
Likes: 839
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The 265 and 283 were what was available back in the early 60'S. I KNOW A GUY THAT BUILT A 400 CUBE 283 BACK IN 62 AND WON A/GAS with it. So even then they knew there was no replacement for displacment.
There were lots of 301 small blocks terrorizing the streets way back when.what is considered garbage today was state of the art back then. I can't criticize the small chevy without its popularity the LS engines would not exist.
Then there's ford with all their stupid engines that are twice as big and the same cubic inches, try fitting a 4 valve in anything but a semi.
There were lots of 301 small blocks terrorizing the streets way back when.what is considered garbage today was state of the art back then. I can't criticize the small chevy without its popularity the LS engines would not exist.
Then there's ford with all their stupid engines that are twice as big and the same cubic inches, try fitting a 4 valve in anything but a semi.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,922
Likes: 839
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
When I was a kid I had a 58 chevy with 6 strombergs,the guy I bought it from couldn't get it to run right. I was told it was a 327 but after getting it to run properly I happened across the guy that built it and was told it was a 301. It never was a torque monster but it looked good and sounded even better when all 6 carbs opened. I almost completely forgot about that old tank until I read this thread,Thanks.