Questions for 283 owners...

[bobs86silv]

I have had an old 67 LWB sittin out at my dads farm for five years. I got it in a truck trade for the motor, and never touched it. Supposedly it had about 30,000 on a fresh rebuild.(OK, sure!!) It has a 2 barrel, ramshorns, and a top loader four speed. I spent a day with it the other day. I got it running pretty easily. I was expecting some pretty heave smoke action, and atleast some low end noise at first. It never missed a lick. Fired up pretty easy, and idled at about 600 RPM with only a little choke help. Never smoked a bit, and sounded real quiet, no noise at all. There is not much of a truck left. I have an 86 shortbed with a pretty high mileage 305/350/3.08's. I do not know which tranny it is, just a granny 4 speed. Just wanting opinions on how this little 283 mouse might perform. I have headers and HEI I would transfer over. I keep hearing that they like to be spun real tight, like 6000 RPM. Sounds kinda high to me. Is there any truth in that?? Would you 283 owners give it more credit for Torque, Power, mid-range, top end only?? Just wanting a heads up on what to expect if I blow my 305 and need a quick transplant.

Thanks

robert