Thread: can 350 internals go into a 283? oil pump,distributer, heads and valves?

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well, I have a 350, 78 engine, has 882 heads, this thing was a nightmare. bored 30 over, freshly rebuilt by a moron. head gaskets leaked oil and antifreeze, and there were lots of problems, i took it out of my 67 pickup i got for a deal. heard something that sounded like metal hitting the oil pan. when i took the engine out I found what looked like 2 keyway locks in the #8 cylinder. tore the block down found a crack in the block next to the lifter section at the # 4 cylinder at a water jacket. so i am getting a 283 from my uncle who has it just sitting around. i want to put my 350 parts in it.my 67 pickup came with a new cam kit with a 490 valve lift.(brand new kit all in unopened boxes) i want to use it.also want to use the 882 heads on the 283. if possible. i want to use the distributor(looks new) the intake(edlebrock aluminum) and a 7 quart oil pan, also a new high volume oil pump. if possible (stretch) .. the 4 bolt main bearing caps to convert on the 283. i really want to use the heads, heard they were powerfull numbers on them. not concerned about boring the pistons. 283's are pretty snotty engines. i never built one before. just want to know if my 350 all new parts will work, i didn't buy them, i got a good deal from someone who wanted it out of their garage.i apprecate the help!!

350 and 283 have different main bearing bore sizes so none of the rotating stuff will work

heads will bolt on but 350 probably has bigger chambers and will lower your compression

oil pan might have dipstick location difference

cam, dist oil pump probably no problems

you might want to think about the new Dart shp block for your parts instead of the 283--without hardened seats unleaded gas will make a mess

that's a little out of my budget range.even finding that stuff used is expensive. the 283 is in good shape though. but the head it came with need help. i found some vortec heads. i might just look around for a 350 block in need of machine work since i have everything else. undecided.

i can machine a 350 short block up 30 over new forged flat tops 4 bolt main block have every thing to short block a older 350 block .would be all fresh machine work at a fair price

that is what this 350 has, 30 over and flat top pistons.all the pistons are in good shape. but the block is cracked so i don't want to use it. it is cracked on the driver side just above the lifter row in the middle of the block. as if someone put a long head bolt in and tightened it too tight. or it was over heated. and the oil was really burnt bad when i took it out.so i really need a block. that's why my uncle gave me the 283. your probly not close to binghamton ny?

the deck on the 350 is open so the head bolts go in to water that did not crack it sounds like it crack from heat or it freezed up .from no anti freeze. i am in mich

i saw the same thing. but who ever put this engine together in the first place was really bad at it. so i am not putting it past them to screw it up and somehow put a long blot in that spot. it wasn't run long and the crank is all chewed up at the main bearings and almost every rod bearing was tore up also. the caps for the rods were on backwards on 3 cylinders. the others the rods were reversed. don't ask, i just took it apart that way. the only tight bolts on the entire engine were the head bolts and crank assembly. everything else was loose, even the flywheel and torque converter.the oil looked like it still had the break in oil in it. or it was lucas. it was sticky and really dark. way too dark for everything being fresh inside the engine. i couldn't turn the short block over without two hand on the flywheel and put my weight into it with it on the engine stand. it was not a free turning engine. i think it was a saturday evening build with lots of beer involved.

the head bolt would have to be a foot long and it still would not crack in the valley they would just bottom out .the thinner 350 blocks crack there i have seen more then one . as for the rest of the mess you have if the caps were not tang to tang it very well would not turn over .i would bet it was not clean when put to gether so that will screw stuff up .it just sounds like someone did not know what they were doing or did not care

yeah pretty much, i checked it out today, yeah that bolt would have to be long. i thought it was lower in the head. i have never built a small block chevy, mostly import 4 cylinders and v6 for independent dealers when they buy screwed up cars from auctions, and that was years ago now. so i am learning about what can go with what, a friend of mine dug out a 350 4 bolt main he had cleaned years ago today for me. i have to go look at it.he said it is pretty rusty now so i will have to go through it all again. i have 30 over pistons so i will get it bored most likely. they have the junk yard filled with clunker trade in's so maybe i will check some out this week and see if i can find any vortec heads, i will get them real cheap. they put liquid glass in them to sieze the engine. it should be ok for the heads still. i'll find out this week.