Engine opinions

[JIvey13]

Okay ladies and gents,

I am rebuilding a 1957 Chevy 3100. I have the original 283 which I had to remove and take apart due to a pushrod problem. My question is and I would like opinions and reasons. What should I go with, the original 283 or go LS.

Jeff Ivey

[whitedog76]

I like the small blocks with the "Chevrolet" script valve covers.

Whatever you decide, please don't paint it orange though.

[mongocanfly]

Oh boy...here we go again..read thru this and youll see answers all over the place..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=731822

[Jesse Z]

Everyone over 55 years old: 283

Everyone under 55 years old: LS

[dsraven]

whats the budget first. what do you want to end up with second.
everything you have is set up for small block so, if it were me, I would go with the fuel injected small block crate engine for the simple reason that you get a more modern package but don't have to change everything to make it work. a few things will be needed, like possibly a fuel pump to run the new fuel injection, some wiring to swap over to the new engine wiring needs, possibly some throttle linkage or whatever is required there and an alternator and a rad flush/replacement. with any new engine a new water pump and rad are kinda a requirement in my mind and an alternator is also a good to have. the other stuff like hoses, filters, belts etc go with any engine rebuild/replacement.
just me talkin.
your truck.
do what you want and can afford.
above all, post pics, haha.

[Foot Stomper]

If you like to have something everyone else has go LS... if you want something unique (and original) stay with the 283.
I like the 283 for a number of reasons including cost, ease of project but mostly because the 283 is a fairly rare original option.

[_Ogre]

if you are using the stock motor mounts you need to use an old school sbc
an ls would need to totally revamped motor mounts and trans mount
your 283 if it is stock does not have side motor mount bosses and uses the front and bell housing mounts

[lv2tri2]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

If you like to have something everyone else has go LS... if you want something unique (and original) stay with the 283.
I like the 283 for a number of reasons including cost, ease of project but mostly because the 283 is a fairly rare original option.

complete with leaking rear seals

[whitedog76]

I'm not over 55, but I do enjoy a vintage drivetrain.

To date, one of the coolest builds I've seen in person, was a Cutlass front clipped 3100 complete with a 455 between the rails.

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by lv2tri2

complete with leaking rear seals

Yes, and everything else that comes with old school trucks... smell, leaks, carburetors, points, sound and all that.

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by whitedog76

I'm not over 55, but I do enjoy a vintage drivetrain.

To date, one of the coolest builds I've seen in person, was a Cutlass front clipped 3100 complete with a 455 between the rails.

I love the old 455's! Here's my 69 442 with a 400 big block 10.25:1 compression and tulip true dual exhaust... all stock... sic!

Video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IMvX5z5E9k

Hoping not to derail thread but rather express an opinion that some folks like all stock...while others like to build something different.

In the end, we all like what we like - we should be so lucky to be able to do what we like.

[1project2many]

I am rebuilding a 1957 Chevy 3100. I have the original 283 which I had to remove and take apart due to a pushrod problem. My question is and I would like opinions and reasons. What should I go with, the original 283 or go LS.

JIvey13, please check this very carefully. Despite popular opinion, the '57 3100 was not available with a 283. The 265 was offered in light trucks and the 283 was offered in larger trucks. If your engine is original I highly recommend you do not lose it.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

PDF Page 110 shows the 265 offered in the 3100, 3200, 3600 while p.117 shows the 283 was available in 5000 series and larger trucks.

A block and heads which fit the manifolds, mounts & etc may be easiest. What are you looking to do with the truck? A full-on contemporary build can look strange without an LS.

[59chev]

I'm 37 and there is no way I would go with an LS. I know that alot of guys use them and I see the benefits, but I am sticking to an old school theme for my build. I don't like the look of an LS in a old engine bay, and I don't want to deal with the associated electronics. I searched for over two years to find my early 327. Alot of the drive ability has to do with the rest of the drivetrain. Stick a 700r4 automatic or a T-5 manual behind it and it will be alot more enjoyable. Cost to rebuild the 283 though will be similar to a smallblock 350 crate motor.

[1project2many]

I wanted to add that if you're looking for a relatively mild replacement, there is a neat option to install a newer engine with similar displacement to the original. In '95 and '96 the Chevy Caprice was offered with a 4.3 L V8 engine that displaced 264 ci. The engine produced 200 hp and 240 ft/lbs of torque, better than the 265's 132 / 200 net ratings. It's a "gen 1.5" engine like the 5.7l LT1 which means you'd have to account for the reverse flow cooling and add EFI to install the complete engine. But you could use a 305 engine from an 86+ vehicle, swap the crank, rods, and pistons from the Caprice engine, and use the induction system of your choice along with a mild factory roller type cam like the HT383 cam for a strong combination. You'd have some of the best parts of last production smallblocks but it would look close enough to original that many folks wouldn't even catch the differences. It might take a little time to put the parts together but the result for a stock appearing truck might be just right.

[JIvey13]

Everywhere that I have looked shows that in 1957 the V8 models including the 3100 upgraded from the 265 to the 283.

Jeff Ivey

[JIvey13]

So, I like the old sound and originality of the 283. But I have always wanted something that sounded mean Andy looked good, something with a nice lobe and grumble with some get up and go. I am just not sure what all I could do to then 283 to achieve that. I mean I am not looking for 500-600 horsepower just around 300-400.

Jeff Ivey

[my56chevytruck]

I'm glad to see the younger people are interested in the old school "carburetion" and the 283 blocks. I am over 55, and have always liked and appreciated the 283 block and what can be done with it. So my vote would be 283 and a carburetor. good luck.

[59chev]

What heads does your 283 have on it? A set of Powerpack or Camel Humps Heads make good power on these engines.

[1project2many]

Everywhere that I have looked shows that in 1957 the V8 models including the 3100 upgraded from the 265 to the 283.

The 283 did not replace the 265 in '57. A 265 and 283 were both available, although not in all vehicles. "75 years of Chevrolet" notes the 265 was available in 1957 as Chevrolet's standard V8 engine confirming that the 265 did not die at the end of '56. The information I linked to is the same as GM would send you if you ask for help determining your original engine. It does not list a 283 Taskmaster or Super Taskmaster available in 3000 or 4000 series trucks but it does show the 265 Trademaster.

vcca.org is a place where folks hang out who really like to get it right.
http://vcca.org/forum/ubbthreads.php...hev_265%22_v-8

The 1957 265 was not a "left over" 1956 engine but was a 283 bored out to 3 3/4" rather than 3 7/8"...Had all the 283 improvements - used the 283 crank shaft and used special 265 pistons balanced to the 283 crank.Was also the smaller V8 truck engine in 1957.

http://vcca.org/forum/ubbthreads.php...Re:_265_engine

I should have mentioned that the gray truck engines were also 265's in 1957. They were used in 1/2 through 1 1/2 ton trucks. There was a heavy duty 283 option available for 1 1/2 tons and they were not gray

http://vcca.org/forum/ubbthreads.php.../Number/127322

I willl explain as best I can,
Will be using a 1959 parts book for reference.
There were actually three different part number crankshafts shown for 1957 and two of them use the 3735236 forging numbers.
One is part #3742332 and forg #3735236. its application is 1957-59 283 and 1957 265 cars (and small trucks) with standard transmission and thin head pistons.
......
Part #3742333, forg #3727449 is listed for 283 1957-59 with fuel injection and high lift cam (domed pistons and heavy duty trucks which had forged pistons.)

Again, if you have the original engine it may be worth checking the bore. It would be a very uncommon engine and I would advise storing it to use another block.

300hp from a 283 using old heads requires some of work. 400 really needs much better heads than the old fuelies. I opted for a 302, using a 283 crank in a 327 block in my truck.

[Speedbumpauto]

Originally Posted by JIvey13

So, I like the old sound and originality of the 283. But I have always wanted something that sounded mean Andy looked good, something with a nice lobe and grumble with some get up and go. I am just not sure what all I could do to then 283 to achieve that. I mean I am not looking for 500-600 horsepower just around 300-400.

Jeff Ivey

Ain't happenin with the 283. IF you want some "lumpy" you need some cubic inches or more properly, torque to offset what you lose on the bottom end for drivability's sake. Torque is mostly stroke, so the 383 version small block is very popular along with the 400/406. Or you could just throw caution(and money) to the wind and go with a big block. It will fit in the same location.

[AtomicYJ]

'57 3000 and 4000 series trucks had 265 V8s that use the same block casting numbers as 283s. The stamp code on the light truck engines in L, LA, or M (possibly 4000 series) that will denote it's a 3000 series 265.

It took me a hot minute but i found a 265 for my '57 3200 that came out of another '57 3200. Rebuilding the 265 will cost more than a 350, but I think its worth it.

[JIvey13]

I am not disputing what you have shown me, i have just seen different. I provided a link which explains the 265 being upgraded to the 283 in 1957 on the 3000 and 4000 truck series. https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...p/1331196.html

Thank you for all the information you have provided. I will have to run the VIN and see what I come up with.

V/r

Jeff Ivey

[jaws61]

I"m going the LS route, I'm happy i did, But there is alot more money to be put into one compared to a 350....
For example
F body camaro Oil Pan, 400 dollars
Fuel Tank and pump 500
PTFE fuel lines and fittings 400 dollars
Fuel Regulator 80
Fuel Filter 60
Computer reflashed 100
Computer rewire or new 200 or 500 for new or free if you it yourself like me..
Transmission tunnel rework (hell!)
Gauges 350-600
Headers 300
That's what just comes to mind too..

Countless hours and hours working and thinking about the truck. Doing searches and searches for hours of guys that have put a LS in our truck... and what they used and how it worked and there isn't many...
With countless hours figuring out align things and playing...
Loving it all and learning a truck load is priceless but its a lot more work and isn't cut and dry.... I'm only part way too..lol
If you paying someone to do work, go with a 350...

[1project2many]

If you grew up when 12:1 compression was driveable on street fuel then you may remember the sounds of high compression, small displacement V8's with high overlap cams cracking and snapping through small exhaust pipes. I like that sound but I would never call it a rumble.

Good cylinder heads are the key to good power. In the smallblock family, L31 heads were among the best flowing stockers. LS engines as a group are even better. But there's much less need for those old rumbly cam designs when the heads themselves flow well. Late engines also use roller cams which can have faster valve opening and closing rates. This also makes an old, rumbly cam design less necessary. For example, I have a 99 vintage smallblock 302 that makes 330 hp / 350 tq but has almost no cam sound. I opted for a Flowmaster 50 series to get some exhaust note with that one.

There are over the counter crate engines that will provide the power you are looking for. They have list prices in the $5000 to $6000 range. This article is good reading if you're looking for alternate routes:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/pro...-engine-build/

It's old so the prices may not be as accurate...

[AtomicYJ]

What's the casting and stamp codes because that will tell you what you have. My '57 had a 283 out of a '58-'62 2 ton in it when I bought it, but other than side motor mounts looks just like the stock engine.