Thread: 283 engine suggestions...

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Originally Posted by drofdar

The 1957 283 was the only year block made without side mount bosses cast in.

None of the sbc's until "58 had side mount bosses cast in and the half ton truck used the front saddle mount until '63.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

None of the sbc's until "58 had side mount bosses cast in and the half ton truck used the front saddle mount until '63.

actually ain't it 68 or 69? cause i had pulled out a 307 thinking it was a 327 and it had the front saddle mount and 2 side mounts off the bellhousing i remember cause i had planned to take the bellhousing to but ended up pulling all 7 bolts (it had the one straight down from the distributor) to seperate the block from the bellhousing. it was a 67 1/2 ton stepside short box? with a 3 on the tree.

Don't know, everything I've seen after '62 was side mount.

We're talking 1957 original 283 here. Before 57 was the 265. You are correct that they were front mount also. But as for 283, the only year without side mount was the 1957 block. 1958 and later 283 had the side mounts cast in. So, he has great value with that motor in that car. It's really hard to find the correct stuff to get it truly original again. I would love to have his engine trans combo for my 57. Since I don't I plan to do a mild rod build. But if it was all original I would never touch it. Or at least get another complete engine/trans to play with.

I have to agree with pulling the original drivetrain and preserving it. I'd even go so far as to swap in a 9in rear just to keep the original safe. Almost any small block-auto trans combo can be slipped in without having to hack anything, and with a little cosmetic work can be made to look like the original was still there. Just a thought, Hank