My 283 build.

[Lugnutz65]

I started with a zero mile 283ci That had been in storage. It was still on the shipping crate. The heads were mismatched, so I bought the correct head 520 casting head to match the other 520 powerpack head. The factory cam was changed out for a GK930 cam and then a double row timing chain. I had to find the rest of the parts including the correct Rochester 2jet carburetor, intake manifold, and accessory brackets. The chrome air cleaner will be replaced with an original 1966 factory correct 2 barrel air cleaner. I painted it gray. I like the color even though I realize it’s not the correct color gray.
It’s on the run stand for a break in run. VIDEO HERE.
Here are a few pics and ANOTHER VIDEO.

[MySons68C20]

That is one gorgeous engine! I love the run stand and your set up.
I'm looking forward to the next video with some rpm
Thanks for sharing.

[cwcarpenter98]

Sweet! I love the color choice. Was that a grey from a rattle can?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Sweet! I love the color choice. Was that a grey from a rattle can?

Yes. I hope it holds up.
VHT primer. Then Dupli-Color Cast Coat Iron. I used Dupli-Color New Ford Gray for the script because I thought white would be too bright. Plus I had a whole spray can that was too light of a gray for the whole engine.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I love that color. Originally I was going to paint my newer engine Black, but the iron grey is nice.

[AcampoDave]

Man that's great, not too many 283's left around anymore. I'm glad you saved it. I really enjoy mine....A peppy little motor with decent MPG's. Should be a fun combo with a T5

[cwcarpenter98]

I like that color grey a lot better than the Ford grey. Thanks for the info!

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

Man that's great, not too many 283's left around anymore. I'm glad you saved it. I really enjoy mine....A peppy little motor with decent MPG's. Should be a fun combo with a T5

I actually bought a fairly complete 1965 283 to scavenge parts for this engine. Pics below. Then a friend offered me a 1958 283 for parts. When I tore down the 1965 engine I noticed it had never been rebuilt. I couldn’t bear to see it go to scrap, so I sent it to the machine shop. Got it back 3 weeks ago. Now with 0.060 pistons, a Comp Cams 268H cam which will make it a moderate performance engine with a nice lope.
So, I actually have two freshly rebuilt 283s. I’ll assemble all the pieces, run stand test it and then decide which one I like best.

[AcampoDave]

I hope you follow up here about how it performs when you get it going.

One of mine is nearly stock (except for an HEI and dual exhaust) still has the 3 on the tree and a 3.08 rear. The other has an Eddy 500 CFM carb with the EPS manifold, 305 HO heads, 4 speed Muncie, 3.08 rear and this cam...

[Lugnutz65]

I’ll certainly post a follow up.

So what comes next? Seriously! What do I do next?
I’ve heard the break in oil can’t be used for another engine break in. Yes, I have another one to break in.
Oil pressure was terrific. Temp stayed 195-200*. No major leaks. I did order a new water pump though.
So I’m thinking next steps are . . . .
Drain fluids
Look for oil in the coolant
Look for coolant in the oil
Inspect spark plugs
Bore scope the cylinders to look for issues.
Pull the rocker covers and inspect

Should I reset the valves?
Remember, be nice. This is my first new engine and I didn’t grow up around anyone mechanical.

[MikeB]

That's really cool! I love 283s and 327s restored to almost original. Had a 283 4bbl in a 66 Nova Sport Coupe back in the day. That lightweight car was fairly quick for its time.

[RDrancher]

In for updates.

[67C10Step]

This thread makes me want to keep my little 283 for the long run. Not sure if it’s ever been rebuilt but it’s the factory engine. I’m building a cruiser and not an axle twisting tire smoker so the 283 might just keep its home.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

I’m building a cruiser and not an axle twisting tire smoker so the 283 might just keep its home.

That's the main reason why I decided to keep my truck 283 powered, even though I did an engine swap. That and a great deal on a running 283 sealed the deal for me.

It's funny to me that the majority of people who ask what engine is in it are surprised by it not being a 350

[AcampoDave]

I just took mine for a 3 hour drive in the hills last weekend and according to the miles of my route on Google Maps and the 9.6 gallons of gas I burned.....I got 15 mpg. I've spent a bit of time tuning my distributor and carb and I'm pretty happy with my 283 since gas in my area is creeping up on $4.50/gallon.

[Lugnutz65]

I pulled off the intake last night to fix a stripped bolt hole in the DS head. Here’s a link to the other thread. LINK

[SidsChopShop]

Lugnutz the little 283 looks great! It sure has come a long way from when we saw it in your truck bed at the donut shop in Tennessee this summer!

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by SidsChopShop

Lugnutz the little 283 looks great! It sure has come a long way from when we saw it in your truck bed at the donut shop in Tennessee this summer!

Yes, we did see each other. I must have showed you pictures because I had not started the assembly then just yet. I was playing with the carburetor rebuild at that point. Thanks for saying hi!
Soon I’ll have the intake back on and running on the stand after this short repair. Stay tuned.

[geezer#99]

I wonder how many heads got tossed on the scrap pile before helicoil’s were common? Or intakes or blocks for that matter.

[65truckowner]

I am glad to see someone else using a 283 Great little engine. I have a 66 c10 with the original 283 3 speed in it. I am planning on using it when I build the truck

[Lugnutz65]

Update:
Fixed the bent pushrod issue. Everything checks out fine.
Made a video yesterday LINK right after adjusting the carb and dialing in the timing. Points distributor currently but will switch to Pertronix or possibly HEI.

[KVB]

Following

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by KVB

Following

This 283 is currently in my 1965 C10 short bed stepside and has about 2000 miles on it. First oil change looked good. Runs well and starts right up. This engine doesn't like my 0.72 overdrive gear. Runs great and likes the RPMs up around 2400. The HP curve on these engines drops off pretty fast with 2000 RPMs or lower. MPG is maybe 15 highway but I'm gonna try to get the timing dialed in a little better and it might improve.
Honestly though, my inline 230 six cylinder performs so well that it's hard to tell the difference and the 230 gets better MPG.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Now with 0.060 pistons,

.060 over 283 = 292!

If it was one of the thicker casting blocks you can take them out to .125 and have a 301! One of the baddest little high winding engines ever!

Great builds you got going!

Gary