Engine dilemma 350 vs 283

[63chevy208]

So I found a 350 engine pretty much intact and needs to be rebuilt. He said he will give me everything that he has for the motor plus extra heads for $250 does this seem too good to be true or does this guy not know the value of a 350 Chevy.

[63chevy208]

My 63 Chevy has the original 283 and it's supposably with only 66,000 milesg

[1961apacheC10]

Seems about right as far as a core price for a small block . At least in the Seattle area anyways. the 350 will give you some more low end torque. But a decent 283 pushes these trucks around just fine in my opinion.

[AcampoDave]

I'd say you'd just be buying somebody else's junk. Forget about it. It could already be bored 40 over and full of rust.

[TJ's Chevy]

Stick with the 283. 350 is over rated. 283 is original and a darn good motor.

[frankslagoon]

I'm Sooo happy I went 283. plenty of fun and 16 to 18 mpg w/overdrive

[Brad54]

I had a friend rebuild a 283 for about twice the price of the 350 crate engine I put in mine.
We both get about the same gas mileage, too.

He can brag he has a 283, so I guess that's something...

-Brad

[urmyboyblue]

I vote 350. Sell the 283 unless you are romantically involved with it and use the $ to build the 350. My reasoning is that the 350 will give you more HP and torque. And will be cheaper to build. Buy the 350, tear it down to see what it needs and make sure it is ok, then sell the 283- unless it is the original engine from your truck.

[The Rocknrod]

You know, there are good things about both engines. What you want to be careful of is throwing away $250.