The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Input - replace 350 with 283 or another 350?

Should I replace the worn out 350 in the 63 GMC sub 4x4 that I got last July with another 350 or as a friend suggests with a 283 with the right stuff to be more fuel efficient?

Will the truck be underpowered?

I plan to build the engine on the bench this winter and have it swaped in in the spring.

The truck now has new power breaks (drums) and power steering.

EB

Go with a crate 350 engine from the dealer. It'll have warantee nation wide and accessories are readily available. As for fuel effieciency, the gearing and size of carb combinaition will give you that.

I went with the 350 crate in my 61 panel. Added an Edlebrock carb and intake and switched the rear to a 3:08 as its my daily driver. I cant complain at all.

I don't know guys, there is something sweet about a 283 or even a 327 in the older trucks.

A 350 won't get you any better milage. Any fuel effeciency differences are offset by a smaller engine having to work just a little harder to pull the load. "There is no substitute for cubic inches" is the old addage, meaning if you want easy horsepower then 350 would have a slight advantage...

I am a purist. Go stock vintage equipment!

Happy Holidays.

Tony

What's going to make you happy in the end?

The 283s worked for years. No, they won't have the HP, but who don't have a crate motor? Crate motors are a dime a dozen. I never wanted the same thing as the other guy.

Do what makes sense to you.

bore the 305 out to 450 cubes!!!!!!!!

Im am going to swap a 350 ls1 out of a late model caprice that way I can have the best of both worlds ,computerized control fuel injection for fuel economy and enough torque and hp. to pull any thing that I will want to pull.
the biggest facor is that this setup will be designed for my pourpose and may not suit yours, you have to determine what will best suit your application and go with that!

You oughtta drop a 389\400\455 Pontiac in there and run a well-tuned Quadrajet. Plenty of power and gas mileage.

Thanks for the replies guys.....will have to think about if I think I will ever want to tow anything in the future. If I don't tow I still think a 283 should be enough engine for the old burb.

Will record the process which ever way I go and post some pics when its done.

Thanks again!

eb's 63

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!

Robin 58.....c'mon man, thats not even funny.

A 235 will pull the truck around O.K. It may not have enough poop to tow a car on a car trailer, but for every day driving the 6 works good.

I have a Ranger helicopter jet engine but you would have to get rid of the second and third seats and upgrade the brakes

Keep in mind if you run the original power pack heads they have no bolt holes for the accesory mounts.If you don't currently use them no worries.Just a thought.

Yooz guys are amazing.....I'll let you know which way I go with the engine...good point about the heads on the orig 283 but I"ve got 305 heads already built and everything else for either but the crank and the pistons. I'm leaning toward the 350 though because I might want to tow in the future....little travel trailer maybe.

A merry Christmas and happy new year to all

Thanks guys!

EB's 63

I don't know how much horsepower you want, but I had a '57 Chev. Bel Air Sport Coupe with a 283 that ran 14 sec. et's at almost 100 m.p.h. back in '57, it would smoke the tires for a block too, so I'd think power would not be a problem.

I'd go with the 350.