Building my 283

[geezer#99]

Best way around that different shades of Chevy orange is to use ford red. Chevy orange will look dull and slightly yellow after many heat cycles. Ford red fades to bright Chevy orange.
But you’ve already painted it. Likely won’t see a huge amount of heat cycles.
Are you gonna install a heat shield under that eddy carb? You’ll need it, so easier to work it in now. And don’t forget fuel pressure. A regulator or low pressure pump might be needed.
Tell your pops to look here for Saginaw rebuild stuff.
http://www.garagemotorsports.com/muncie.htm

[Chevyrestorerman]

Just wondering if you gasket matched the intake manifold as you did for the heads.

[OL65GMC]

I did match the intake ports as well. Nothing crazy, just opened them up to match and about an inch of blending. Also related to that I had a hell of a time getting the appearance of the intake right. I finaly used raw aluminum mag cleaner and some scotchbright. I will have to do. I'll post a pic soon.

[OL65GMC]

Ok, a lot of time passed since my last post. Got so involed in the build i kinda forgot i was documenting it. So since my last post there has been a lot of progress. I finished up with the assembly of the motor on the stand, had a couple of snags that I can share. First the intake manifold... After finaly getting the aluminum to look like I wanted i installed the intake, but soon realized the oil fill tube hole was too tight. Some "mild" persuasion resulted in a small piece breaking on the lip of the hole. Off it came. Cleaned it up with the die grinder and back on again. Lesson 456 on test fitting everything. Here are a few pics of before and after.

[OL65GMC]

Next was exhaust manifolds... No problems with the manifolds themselves but related alternator bracket mounting was a big hang up. I went with sone rams horns, 2 1/2 inch outlet, no accessorie holes. Combined with my earlier choice of short water pump and my options for brackets was small. Basically i had purchased an alternator bracket some time before for a long pump and didnt realize it. I knew the difference but didnt catch it till install. That bracket wouldnt work. Then i tried a generator header mount bracket and that didnt work even after modification. Began to fab up my own and then found Alan Grove's stuff and that worked fine. In hind sight i would have used a long water pump if i had thought it through better, knowing electric fan was in the future. First 3 pics of bad bracket attempts, second 3 of Alan Grove bracket.

[OL65GMC]

Pics

[OL65GMC]

In the mean time, Pops was digging in to the 4 speed. He found a great outfit in Oregon or Washington that sent him the rebuild kit and hears we needed replaced. Unfortunately I didnt think to take pics of his operation but i have this one of the case being primed. Post a pic of completed trans soon.

[AcampoDave]

So? Is it up and running?

[OL65GMC]

Sorry I haven't posted.. Phone took a crap and lost most of my my build pics. To answer your question yes, well it was. Rocker studs on #3 pulled so I had to pull the heads and get them machined to accept threaded studs.

[OL65GMC]

Dropping in the motor and breaking it in actually didn't go too bad. Only real hang up was having the wrong coil. The stock look hei I went with was missing instructions and I put a 3.0 ohm coil with it. Wouldn't idle. Went through a whole lot of diagnostic headache before I found out dizzy shoukd have a 0.7 ohm coil. Installed the right coil and ran like a top.

[Marty68]

great write up.. my 283 runs great at this point. intake carb and cam is on the wish list

[gulfcoast66]

Good to see a 283 Rebuild and install... Pics/Vids??? Looks Great Also..

[notsolo]

Nice build, great engine. Had mine rebuilt 40 yrs ago, may have to do it again!

[AcampoDave]

How is it to drive around? Have you had a chance to get it broke in and and wind it up yet?

[gvw5400]

GOOD JOB!

After you get some miles on it, and everything is good and fully dialed in, Please bang on it hard to redline once for me!!!
Seriously, It is nice to see someone take the path less traveled. Not every truck needs to be a LS automatic, bagged and rollin on 26" Chinese alloys.
All the best,
Dirk

[YoungPup1977]

When did you notice the stud pulled out of the head ?
Was this during the break in I am guessing... with all the port matching time spent on the heads, the screw in studs may have been a activity to perform but that's a after thought.. glad you found the stud pulled up out of the head and not the camshaft going flat.... That rocker noise must of got some ones attention

Got any pics of the stud pulled up and the screw in studs installed, any guide plates being considered ? Did your screw in studs go into the water jacket of the head ? How was the screw in studs installed ?

[68Gold/white]

Yo, Old,
How goes it!!!

[YoungPup1977]

Did you have to pull the engine out ? Did your phone crap out again ? Did you really wind her up to see what she do yet..

[67C10Step]

I read this whole thread because I am trying to plan ahead - WAY ahead. I recently acquired a 1967 c10 with its original 283. The engine starts and runs like a little champ but is naturally a bit tired. It had not ran in over 10 years but wasn't too hard to get back to life.

Right now I am focusing on getting the truck in road worthy shape by rebuilding brakes, suspension, etc. At some point an engine rebuild or swap will be in order. I am heavily leaning towards what was done in this thread because I think it would be nice to still have the original engine and I don't need a 400 hp wheel burning truck. Just a nice exhaust note and the comfort to know I won't meet myself on the road every 15 minutes like I do in my 2017 gmc.

[AcampoDave]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

I read this whole thread because I am trying to plan ahead - WAY ahead. I recently acquired a 1967 c10 with its original 283. The engine starts and runs like a little champ but is naturally a bit tired. It had not ran in over 10 years but wasn't too hard to get back to life.

Right now I am focusing on getting the truck in road worthy shape by rebuilding brakes, suspension, etc. At some point an engine rebuild or swap will be in order. I am heavily leaning towards what was done in this thread because I think it would be nice to still have the original engine and I don't need a 400 hp wheel burning truck. Just a nice exhaust note and the comfort to know I won't meet myself on the road every 15 minutes like I do in my 2017 gmc.

Lots of good 283 info archived on this site. Also on the H.A.M.B. Both were a huge help when I was planning out mine. It turned out great and its still going strong. I hope the OP's is too.

[Rusty one]

Great to see another taking a path less traveled.
Rebuilding my 283 which is now a 292. Wanted to keep it old school so I went with tri power!
All assembled now... rebuilding the 2004R is next.

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by Rusty one

Great to see another taking a path less traveled.
Rebuilding my 283 which is now a 292. Wanted to keep it old school so I went with tri power!
All assembled now... rebuilding the 2004R is next.

Looks like this thread fizzled out maybe start your own thread with the 200 rebuild. I am sure the 200 rebuild would be a big hit on this forum. Looking forward to it
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[68Gold/white]

I hope the 283 didn't fizzle out.....