I have been planning to rebuild my 1965 C-10 283 for a long time now. This Fall was going to be when I was finally getting around to getting it done. I have been reading all the pros and cons of a 283 rebuild and I have always been convinced that I would keep my 283 instead of changing over to a 350, for gas economy being one reason, and just because I like my 283 being another. The one thing that has bothered me the most lately is the reputation of the leaks of the oil pan, timing chain cover and main seal. I have read on this site and others that these leaks can be controlled by various installation techniques concerning uses of different types of gaskets and various gasket sealants. I guess that just because there are so many conversations about this subject should tell me that indeed there is a problem. Even a mechanic that I trust has advised me to go with a different engine, to save from future problems because of his experience with lots of these engines in the past, unless I was going to show my truck, which I am not and never plan to. It is and has been my daily driver and farm work truck. Now I've just about changed my mind to go with a 350, even though I don't necessarily want to, and just store my 283. By the way, for information purposes, due to a recent shoulder surgery, which will leave my right arm incapacitated for a few months, I had to replace my manual three speed with a new 700R-4 from Phoenix transmission. I realize that I will have to go with a 2 bolt main on a 350 instead of a 4 bolt and that does not bother me. So is it a matter of the rebuilder knowing what they are doing, and have many of you folks got this same leakage problem. This is not a debate of which engine I prefer, I just want to know if I should expect the problems that I have mentioned. I realize that the oil pan gasket is in three pieces, and that even with proper installation this is one of the causes of the problem.
Thanks,
Joe
