Anyone out there running a 283 in their 3rd gen? Once I get my 67 Burb and 72 Ventura running...have a 350 and SB400 for them...I will have a 283 left over from the 67 burb. I was thinking/dreaming about doing a mild build up on the 283 and have it ready for when the 305 in my 83 Z28 dies.

 

Save it for a first gen Camaro.

 

Unless you're class racing where the smaller engine puts you into a specific class, they're not worth rebuilding. Small stroke, small bore, small journals and those really early blocks had oiling problems.

It's a nostalgia engine. Not something for a more modern car especially when much better options are available.

 

The engine will be rebuilt at some point in time, mainly because it is the original engine for my 67 Suburban and I want to have it around should I ever decide to return the Burb to stock. That engine may even be a 327, I just can't remember right now...gonna have to check the casting numbers again.

I was just wondering about the performance of a mildly built 283 in a 3rd gen.

 

Something between a 3.1 and 305.

 

Not trying to rain on your parade or anything,but you could buy a core 350,machine it,and build it cheaper than you can take the 283 you have,and machine/build it.
I built a 283 a couple of years ago for a guy who was building an "original appearing" 55 Bel-Air.I did my level best to convince him to build a 350,and dress it with the vintage tin.
He refused,I built the engine,he spent a lot more than he would have,and couldn't understand why it didn't have the power he thought it should.
The car runs fine,and does what I built it to do.This story ends with him coming back to me,wanting a 350 short block,please don't be that guy.

 

I checked the casting numbers today and it is a 283 not a 327 like I had hoped. I was leaning towards the smaller displacement engines to keep within the limits of my transmission. I have a 350 block, rods, and pistons (no crank) that I'm thinking about building in to a stroker motor for the car. So for now I'm going to try and stick with the original plan of getting the car reliable while saving up for a better 5 speed and then go from there.

Thanks for all the input.

 

youd be better selling it to someone trying to make a period correct first gen. not worth rebuilding for any sort of performance.

 

It is the original motor to his 1967 Suburban, so the motor is not being sold unless that Suburban is sold, and be has no plans to ever do that.