mike, you're in the same boat as a lot of other members are or have been in the past.

The little Chevy is already 0.060" over and the cylinder walls are probably tapered as well as having a ridge at the top of the bore. By the time you ridge ream it and hone it, the bore is probably gonna be too sloppy for the pistons.

The other problem is the heads. You're gonna have to spend a bundle to bring 'em back to life with guides, hard seats, springs and planin' 'em to get 'em flat.

I'd at least consider findin' a '73 to '85 small block 305 or 350 from another vehicle. Hook a battery up to it and spin it over with the spark plugs removed and the carb butterfly wired open. If it shows better than 130-140 psi on all cylinders, buy it. $250 or less should seal the deal. You'd spend a whole lot more than that on the 283 to rebuild it and still have less motor than a stock 305 or 350.

If you don't believe me, sit down with a pencil and paper and list all the costs of a rebuild.

Been there, done that.