Thread: 283 info???

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Can somebody give me or point me to the following info on a 1961 283?

a) what newer heads, if any, can I use? I have domed pistons .60 over and would prefer to run pump gas 93 octane max...

b) what is the normal range / max rpm I can expect?

c) I have a Holley 7448 2b sitting around gathering dust - could I expect to get fair to good performance with that carb? I was thinking a Performer RPM manifold - good choice or not? BTW - I have a Speed Pro CS112R Cam, 2800-6000 RPM Range, 300/300 Adv Dur, @.050 224/224, Lobe Sep 108, Lift .436/.436 to go with it.

I'll probably have quite a few more questions as I go - this is my first engine build!

Thanks
Dale

u can use 305/ vortex heads

With that cam, you'll want to be somewhere between 9.5 and 11 to 1 compression ratio. You need to know the cc displacement of the piston domes before you continue. You can probably get by with up to 11 to 1 with a good tight squish of 0.035" to 0.040", good gas and reasonable spark advance. You can figure the dome displacement by reading this paper I wrote....
http://streetmachinesoftablerock.com...opic.php?t=124

Thanks - these are about 1/8" pop-up pistons, not domes, as I'm guessing based on other info I'm reading. Not yet having a chance to cc the piston pop-up and "do the math" via that formula yet, and based on approximate ratios for 350 flattops and 64cc vortec heads, my semi-educated guess is that I'd probably want to go with a 76cc head, to avoid detonation. We'll see later how that works out on paper. Right now I'm trying to decide whether to keep the main bearings I have or buy a new set, also trying to find info on whether or not I need some sort of gasket for the oil filter conversion kit (from canister to screw-on). If so, will PermaTex suffice?

The original 283 heads were about 60cc. If you use 76cc heads, your compression will down the you-know-what.

The oil filter conversion uses the stock can-type gasket. That's a lot of cam to use with a 2bbl carb.

That's just a carb I have laying around which I was going to use for a street stock. I might go in another direction, if necessary.

The best bang for the buck in iron heads will be the Chevy L31 Vortec units part # 12558060 for $249.75 each at Scoggin-Dickey. That part number will get you heads that will allow a maximum lift of 0.450", but they also offer heads that have been modified for higher lift. Part # SD8060AGP has been modified for 0.525" lift and is machined for screw-in studs and guide plates (not included) $388.25 each. www.SDPC2000.com

The cam you use will be the limiting factor in revs. The little 283's will spin up pretty tight, particularly with good rods and aftermarket 4-bolt main caps. You'll run out of cam before you run out of crank