Engine ID: 283 in lieu of 350?

[Davidf]

I recently purchased a 1971 Cheyenne that was factory equipped with a 350/350 combination. After bringing the truck home, I check the engine ID (T0323CM) that came back as a 230hp 283cid engine. Oops. At this point, the engine sounds good and probably runs fine. I have not finished with the tune up to know for sure. It's been awhile since I have really been heavily involved with vintage SBC engines and mostly of the 350 size.

So, my question is should I keep the 283 or start searching for a replacement 350 and build it up the way I want for low end torque? I am not inclined to go the crate engine route...no fun in that.

After a small amount or research, it seems the 283 was offered in late sixties trucks...true?

[RenoKeene]

If the 283 is sound I'd stick with it. We used to run them in asphalt circle track race cars and ran rings around some 350s.

[MARKDTN]

If it runs good and had enough power when you drove it home I would keep it.

[leddzepp]

No reason to yank it if it runs good IMO. I'll bet there are a LOT of people out there driving a vehicle with a 283 that they think is a 350.

[EARNHARDT#3]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

No reason to yank it if it runs good IMO. I'll bet there are a LOT of people out there driving a vehicle with a 283 that they think is a 350.

There are some with a 305 that think it's a 350 too LOL....and vice versa and all kinds of combinations. You also don't know if a motor was bored, stroked or whatever either.

[Davidf]

Thanks for the comments. I had a bit of time on Sunday to complete the tune-up. Unfortunately, there is too much blow-by. Generally, the engine runs decent and doesn't make any strange noises. But it smokes and has excessive crankcase pressure (PCV valve can't keep up). I also discovered that idiot mechanic had the distributor installed 180 out and instead of fixing it, he just mounted the rotor around 180 degrees and put an extra notch in the HEI rotor. Ugh!.

Also, I don't think you can bore/stroke a 283 into a 350. Someone school me if I have that wrong. A 283 uses a smaller bore.

Finally, what is the first year that roller lifters came into use in truck motors (350). If I am going to build up a new engine, I want roller lifters, 4-bolt main, 350 cid.

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by Davidf

..
Also, I don't think you can bore/stroke a 283 into a 350. Someone school me if I have that wrong. A 283 uses a smaller bore.

Finally, what is the first year that roller lifters came into use in truck motors (350). If I am going to build up a new engine, I want roller lifters, 4-bolt main, 350 cid.

283 are all small journal engines. There is not a 350 small journal crank. Some very early ones can be bored to 4" and make a 302, but there are no small journal 4-bolt blocks.

Your best bet on a 4-bolt roller cam is an '88-99 engine. All are 1-pc seal engines. 3/4 ton and 1-ton have 4 bolt mains. Some will be roller cam, some just have the provisions in the lifter galley. You don't really need 4-bolt mains. A '96-99 Vortec 350 already has good heads and roller cam.