After reading the first post, I already see flaws in your process. There is nothing anyone can tell you on here, or anything that a friend is going to tell you that makes your decision for you. You've gotta know for yourself what you want to do with your old truck. If your friend wants an old suburban with a 283 in it, let him build one, or if someone on here wants an old suburban with a 327 or 350, or whatever the case may be, let them build it! You're the one with the bloody knuckles, late nights in the garage, and time away from the family with this truck. If you originally wanted to go with a 350, I think gearing, carburetion, and transmission choice would get you equally as good of fuel economy as a 283. A V8 is a V8, 283 or 350, either one will get you about the same fuel economy, and neither will be great. Especially in a big old truck like you have. Its your choice of carb, rear gear and transmission that will make up the rest. I'm saying stick to your guns!
