People with 283's and a four speed. Opinions???

[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 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

[hgs_notes]

Its a way better motor than the 305 ever thought of being. I had a 4 speed behind mine once and I actually prefered the 3 speed. The 283 really does like higher rpm's, it has a short stroke. It should be fine with the 3.08 gears, because of the 4 speed. I have 3.73 gears and it was just too low for 1 st gear. Mine will rev over 6000, but would run better up there with some new valve springs. With my 275-60-15 rear tires and 3.73 gears behind a TH-350 automatic, I run about 2800 rpm for 60 mph.

I like the engine, but for more power I would go larger, even a 327.

HG

[69 Short Fleet]

I have the same setup in my truck, the motor is a 1968 283 with a SM465 muncie tranny (granny 4 speed). The motor is mostly stock with the following... Edelbrock 600 cfm carb, Edelbrock air gap intake, headers running into a 2 1/2" "X" pipe exhaust with Proflow mufflers. I really love this little motor, the thing pulls very well & I would say a 6,000 rpm red line from these things is in the ball park. The granny 4 speed is a great workhorse tranny, excellent for around the farm ect. and are pretty simple to work on (however I have not pulled a wrench on mine). But as far as a sport truck application goes the tranny is not a good choice. My future pans are to replace it with a T-56 6 speed. Doug

[bobs86silv]

I dont think I would take my auto out, so it would be a 283/th350 setup. Thanks for the replies. I was hoping to hear some positive stuff, not all bad..

thanks
robert