The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 283 mild build

Hey friends, I am a new guy that doesn't know much about trucks or cars,but i love tinkering with them.I have a 1965 GMC short bed,big window truck.I have a 283,2 barrel that was given to me and I want to use it for my truck.My question is I want to rebuild it, cam, new heads ,intake and carb and what ever else I need, but I want to add some performance to it but I want it streetable. nothing for the strip but something that I can drive when weather is nice with a little power to it.Can somebody give me some suggestions on what kits or parts to use.thanks

Just put in an RV cam. That will give you the low end torque and still let you get some reasonable gas mileage.

If you are wanting something in a "kit" form.Look at Edelbrock. They offer some options. Manifold,carb,cam,lifters,etc

Upgrade the heads to a set of 58CC combustion chamber heads from a late-1980's 305 4 barrel engine. They have the same combustion chamber volume as the 283 "Power Pack" heads used in the late 1950's and early 60's, and they're a lot easier to find in serviceable or easily-rebuildable condition than a set of 50-something year old heads. They also have the bolt holes on the ends of the heads for mounting accessories like an alternator or a power steering pump, etc.

If you choose to modify those heads, they can be fitted with 1.94" intake valves and 1.6" exhausts with a little tinkering. While you're at it, find a HEI distributor, an aluminum intake manifold and a Quadrajet carburetor for the same 305 engine. Do Not- - - -get tempted to go with an aftermarket manifold and carb! Find a set of ram's horn exhaust manifolds (definitely not headers!) with 2" exhaust pipe diameter and fit a set of free-flowing quiet mufflers. The 283 will manage 7,000+ RPM with a Comp Cams 268H hydraulic cam and a set of anti-pump-up lifters. Once you make 3 or 4 more posts you'll be able to send me a PM message and I'll share a trick that will make the stock HEI distributor work well up to 8K RPM or so. Without the mod it will spark-scatter above 5500 RPM and limit the top end that the 283 is capable of running.
Jerry