Should I buy this engine?
 

Hey guys, I thought you might be able to tell me if this is a good deal or not. I found an ad in the paper about a 1965 chevy 283v8 for sale. The guy wants $250.00 for it. It is a complete running engine, with a 2barrel carb, exhaust manifolds, etc. We started it and it ran great, no smoke, 50 psi oil pressure, no knocks, misses etc. I think I want it, should i buy it?

Jamiew

Here in Oklahoma City, you can get good, complete 305's for $200 to $300. Just depends on where you look. This only sounds like a fair deal to me and only if you really want a 283.

Sounds good to me. You can save a little more money and get you a 350. Rebuild it yourself and know what you have.
Ben

I think a 283 would be alot better than a 305. The only thing better on a 283 would be the amount of RPM's they can handle. I went 30mph in granny low once with a stock 283. WHOOPS. Took the rpms though.

Look at the heads. The older heads don't have the mounting holes needed for the accesories. If you plan to install in a 67-72 with any accessories (AC, power steering, etc), the older heads may not work for you. Otherwise, doesn't sound like a bad deal.

I want to put the engine in my1964 chevy pickup. The truck is already somewhat of a hybrid now with a '76 model front crossmember, 3.07 rear gear making it 5 lug all around, TH350 tranny with 9 inch tailshaft, and I have a 350 4bolt block (3970010) that I got cheap and was planning to build. I also have a set of fresh 305 heads (14014416) that I don't want to use on the 350 that would probably be more suited to the 283. So you guys think it's a mediocre deal at best? Should I use the 305 heads on the 283 and can the 350 or just keep the $250 I would spend on the 283 and put it toward the rebuild of the 350? How well suited would the 283 be to the tranny and rear end gears?

really depends on your plans.... if you just need a motor to get you running and aren't interested in performance, sounds like a square deal, the 283 will work good with the trans and gears and you can drive it while you build a hotter powerplant if that's a longer term goal....

Id buy it in a second for a 64 truck,283 is awesome motor,i wouldnt buy a 305/307.350 will cost more.but trust me that 2 bbl 283 is a nice cruiser,and actually is better on fuel.but id go bigger anyway id put a bbc in it,but $250 for a wunnung motor that will bolt right on,does it have brackets and pulleys to?If so everything would work great in 64

nuttin wrong with the mini-mouse......but as stated b4, if your looking for performance...its a lot cheaper to go with the 350....I would take the 250 and get some vortec heads for the 350. If you go with the 283...email me for some build advice...i put one together last year, and learned the hard(expensive) way what works and what dosent.
Jim

For 250$ you could buy it, clean it up & detail it, use it while building a fresh 350, then turn around & sell it for ohhhhh I don't know. . .maybe 250? Nothing better than a part that pays for itself, & a good running engine is worth that kind of money to someone(especially those that can't afford new crate motors).

Buy it, install the 305 heads (hardened valve seats are awsome with unleaded) drive the shot outa it.
Anything you bolt onto it, will go onto your future 350.
Now you'll have a driver, and the 350 can be put together as your wallet allows.

Thanks guys, I think I will buy it. The 283 is the correct v8 for the 64-66 anyway. I think I will install the 305 heads along with the edlebrock intake and carb that I had originally was going to use on the 350. I wanted to go with the holley street avenger package on it anyway. Another question, if I install the 305 heads, should I go ahead and put new rings, and bearings in the lower half of the engine or will it be ok as is? Wouldn't want to install the new heads just to make it start using oil.

It wouls be a good idea to freshen it all up in the bottom. Otherwise, there is a posability of blowing out a portion of a ring.

some of the 2bbl 283's in the middle 60's only made 150/160 hp. They weren't big on power , but you could hardly kill them.