283 heads

[65truckowner]

Can I put a set of 3890462 double hump heads on a stock 283 engine?

[cableguy0]

You can but you would be way better off with something like a set of 305 vortec heads. The 283 is small for a truck in the first place. Add a set of 350 heads and probably a cam a step too big and you have a dog of an engine lacking the torque to move a heavy truck. In its day the 283 seemed great but it was beating up on engines like the flathead making less than 200hp.

[Marv D]

Also keep in mind the early small chamber castings fitted with 2.02 intakes get DANGEROUSLY close too the small cylinder bore wall with lifts over .5 It's so close as to shroud the intake flow quite dramatically. That's why you see small 1.72" intake valve configurations even in the 'power pack' heads for the 283. It actually works better than a severely shrouded, but larger valve.

[65truckowner]

I have a set of 305 heads found. They are from a 305 in a 79 chevy truck. Will they work?

[Captainfab]

Yes they will work on a 283. However they may or may not be any better than the power pack heads that are currently on your 283. It depends on what the casting number is of the 305 heads .

[65truckowner]

The heads on the 283 now are not power pack and have the soft seats. This engine is all standard size. I am going to replace the bearings and rings and want to put the later model heads on it so it will run unleaded gas without problems

[cg285]

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

The heads on the 283 now are not power pack and have the soft seats. This engine is all standard size. I am going to replace the bearings and rings and want to put the later model heads on it so it will run unleaded gas without problems

just replace the exhaust seats. not a big deal

[65truckowner]

I thought it was a big deal to fix. How is it done

[cg285]

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

I thought it was a big deal to fix. How is it done

there is a pilot that goes in the valve guide. depending upon the equipment there is arbor placed over that to align the boring fixture. the arbor is then removed and replaced by the correct cutter size and the boring bar set in place. at the top there is a travel adjustment. the adjustment is loosened and adjusted to the replacement seat. the bar is locked down and this sets the travel depth. then the bar drives the cutter and shuts down the travel at the stop. the bar/cutter are removed, the seat dropped in with the correct size driver and is driven in with a bfh. there is a tool that slides over the pilot, afterwards, and can be used to stake the seat on the perimeter but it is not nec. i don't use it and never had an issue as cutters are typically .006 undersize to the seat.

[61K10]

Guess i am the only one from the old days when there wasn't any after market heads avl. ran the 462's with 1'94 intakes on my 283 with the 097 cam.

[mikebte]

I just put a fresh 283 .040 in my 59. Double hump heads oversized cam. Chip in 2nd and 3rd gear.

Keep in mind. I did the hole engine, ARP bolts, head work, rods. Can be a good motor. But you will pay for it

[65truckowner]

Great engine. I have one in my 67 impala ss. It runs great. cg285 you lost me on the valve seat fix. I have never done any head work except grind the valves.

[mikebte]

Take the head to a shop and just have them clean up the hole head. Valve seats are something you don't want to have a issue with. I know it cost a little more, but it is nice to know it will work right. New valves while your at it.

Best of luck

[burnin oil]

Originally Posted by mikebte

I just put a fresh 283 .040 in my 59. Double hump heads oversized cam. Chip in 2nd and 3rd gear.

Keep in mind. I did the hole engine, ARP bolts, head work, rods. Can be a good motor. But you will pay for it

I have seen several 1.94 valve 283s that ran strong. I think the real question is where does the shrouded valve vs flow intersect. This is a perfect candidate for the 305 vortec heads and a mild intake manifold swap. I think there would be a nice little gain in power with an extended power range.

[cg285]

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

Great engine. I have one in my 67 impala ss. It runs great. cg285 you lost me on the valve seat fix. I have never done any head work except grind the valves.

it's normal practice at any auto machine shop. shouldn't cost much

[65truckowner]

We only have on machine shop around here and it is an hour away. I am just about to give up. I was removing the pistons a little while ago and broke two of them because of a slight ring grove at the top of the cylinders. SO I then got my ring grove remover and it just fit with the pistons at the bottom of the cylinders. The pistons came out with no problem after that but now I need two pistons. I checked the crank journals and they are 2.29 and 2.00 which is almost perfect so that is good news at least.

[cg285]

well if u dont want to drive u can run them as they are. should be ok for at least 30k miles. btw your double humps will have the same issue

[crazy longhorn]

Take the 283, stroke it 1/4" (sj 327 crank), add a 307 piston set, & you have a 307....bore it .060, now it is a 312 incher. You might check on oversizes on the 307 piston? .030/.040.....060 (not sure on the last one? You wont get any thing off the shelf in forged(it will be custom). With the big overbore, the 46s's will work for you....just listen to Marv D on the cam selection (not much over .450-.470 on lift), & keep the duration short(.216-.220 @ .050). If you go .020 under on the rod journals, you can also offset the stoke a tad more, to help you on the quench. Balance it good, with the nonstock combo, & don't go too crazy on the carb (suggest 600 cfm)....bet she will run good Now for the rest, I thought I saw stick shift in the mix? 3.73 on the rear gear, & a Saginaw 4 spd, with a 3.11, or 3.50 1st gear....the trans will hang with it for 25-30000 miles on a "spirited " street driver. Have fun....Longhorn

[AcampoDave]

I recommend you investigate the 305 heads which have a 416 casting number. I use them and they work well with a regular pre-vortec intake.

[SierraMtns]

This guy does a good job breaking down the different heads.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvmlKF5dr18