Am I Crazy?
 

My K20 currently has an overhauled 400sb with less than 5000 miles. It runs great, pulls hard and hasn't given me any trouble. I should be happy and satisfied, right?:crazy:

Well, last year I pulled a 283 out of a parts truck and that little v8 is all I can think about. Chevrolet quit building the 283 in 1967; I wasn't born for another 16 years after that. Can I be nostalgic for the 283, which I wasn't even around for?:confused:

I must be crazy because, last night I drug the 283 out of the shed and started the teardown. After an overhaul it will be going into the K20. Is this a bad choice?
The people I have asked already seem to be split down the middle.

Here is the vicitm
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...rt/pickup6.jpg

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

What are you hoping to accomplish? Is it just for the cool factor? Gas mileage? I doubt the 283 would help gas mileage much if any. Or do you have another project for the 400 to go into?
No matter what you do, that's a nice truck!!!

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

Methinks SO.:lol:

But, I could think of a nice warm place for that 400 to live.;) :cool:

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

I have a 283 in my 61 4x4, it does ok. Its a good little reving motor, but that 400 will have more torque than the 283 in a 4x4. I had a sm 420 4-speed in my truck and the 283 did good. Then I changed it out for a th 350 auto, and it sucked the power out of my little motor!:no: :no: But anyways thats my 2 cents.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

I think the loss of torque is going to be very noticeable. These trucks are heavy and torque sure helps offset that weight! I also think your mileage is going to go down since the engine has to work more to move that weight.

If neither of those things matters, go for it. Build it and have a blast doing it, not like you can't pull it out later and put the 400 back in.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

Thanks for the input, I wasn't looking for an increase in mileage, just the cool factor. But.....
Last night in the tear down I found the water jacket is cracked on the pass side. I dont really want to deal with a JB welded block. So I will push it back in the shed for now and drive the 400.

I guess I should have looked the engine over better before I started this thread sorry guys:o

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

Dress the engine up and throw it in the living room, would make a nice conversation piece! :lol:

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

the 400 that is in it now is much better suited for your rig than the 283.

Mike

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

Ya know....a 454 would look VERY COOL in that truck! If cool is what your after Go BIG!!!
YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBC:metal: :burnout:

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

GO BURT, GO! :metal:

I have a 283 that was destined for my daughters blazer for the sole reason of "not having much power" but still being a V-8, so the sound would be there.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

try something like this

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

nd_guy, your truck looks real nice, I really like the stance with your lift and tires. As far as the engine goes, they look the same from the outside but I think you'll miss torque/power once you swith to the 283,

another thing to consider is dress up your current setup with original style valve covers/intake/ air clean etc... to give it more of that nostalgic look you seem to be after,

enjoy your truck and have fun doing mods :)

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

67 had 327's in the 4x4's as well didn't they? My 68 does.... Maybe keep an eye out for one of those....

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

I knew a guy with a 283 he put in a`77 K/30 4spd that kicked butt.Another freind had a`78 F250 w/400(not that they compare to a SBC) and they went at a follow me challenge.The Ford lost and that guy had the girls in his truck.You have gears,you have power.I`d consider that/At least it isn`t crazy.But,you`re lucky to have a 400,now.At least keep the 283 around for a replacement.I really like my 400/4spd in my truck.
I`m building a`67 shortbed 2wd from scratch.I already have a 350/TH350 for it and thetheme is use what I have.But,I found a deal on a complete just pulled original`68 327/TH400 and had to have it for the`67 just to give it more`67 flavor.It`s at the machine shop now.I`m using the TH350,though.I know where you`re coming from.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

You'll DEFINITELY miss the torque...especially with those tall tires.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

I rebuilt The number match 283 for my 1966 Impala, That I bought from my Grandma (The original owner) Rebuilding that motor was a huge waste of money time and effort. I should have placed the 283 in the shed like you did and rebuilt a 350. Nice truck.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

Slap 283 stickers on the 400 and add the oil fill and be done with it!!!!:hm:

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

:lol: Agreed!

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

I like scotto0609 idea. Time to pick up some script valve covers and an oil fill. My chinesse chrome valve covers look like poop anyway.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

That's a great looking truck. The 400 is the better engine for it.

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

my 68 had 327 stickers on the valve covers.... I think LMC or truck shop sells them

can't really tell in this old pic but the left one is visible...

Re: Am I Crazy?
 

Great looking truck. I dont think that you would be all that dissapointed with the 283 in your truck, I had one in a 68 2wd with a muncie M20 about 20 years ago. It wasnt fast but it went OK revved nice and sounded great, gas milage wasn't any better than a 350 though about 18 I still have the block in the garage but it needs a crank.