The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop my 283 may be a 327, huh?

Okay, this isn't crucial, but... I'm just the analytical type and when someone asks me what I have in my truck, I like to have a true answer.

The guy I bought my '61 from says he swapped out the 283 and put in a 327 years ago. That was good enough for me until I took it down to my mechanic when I first bought it to make it street worthy and legal. He swore that it was a 283. Well, considering the gentleman I bought the truck from doesn't have the memory he used to, I figured I'd believe the mechanic. But the engine had few miles on it since it had been rebuilt and didn't need any work persay, so the mechanic didn't delve into it. All he did was brakes, wiring, etc...

Now, the truck is on the road (YIPPEE!!), and I asked the guy who is helping me what engine it is. We pop the hood and look at the mark on the header. He says, "One mark = 283. Two marks = 327." Mine has one mark. The guy I bought it from doesn't remember any details, but still insists it's a 327. Either his memory is distorted after so many years, or...?

Please correct me if this is wrong, but evidently the headers would fit either engine. So, the engine could have been swapped, but they could have put the original headers back on. Or, a 283 can be bored out to be a 327?

Like I said, it probably makes no difference as far as I'm concerned. It runs great, drives good, sounds awesome - I'm happy. I just want to know.

1.) Is there a way to tell what it really is without tearing into the engine? Everybody tells me the engine is as tight and solid as can be, and advises me against having it messed with (if it ain't broke...).

2.) And, 283 versus 327? Is one better than the other? I read a lot about how 283s are good little motors, but haven't seen a lot on here about the 327s. Just curious what the opinions are.

Thanks for the input,
Husker

P.S. Haven't decided on the rear-end swap yet. I'm going to drive it around for a while before I jump one way or the other.

We just need the #'s on the flat tab just in front of the head by the water pump on the passenger side and we can tell you what engine you have.

The number is: F0804HC

Thanks for the help,
Husker

you have a phord................just kidding

LOL

The guy I bought it from is a bit crazy, but come on... he's not THAT crazy.

:-)

Husker

Husker,

HC = 65-66 327 according to an old Peterson engine swapping book.

HC decodes to a 1965 275hp 327. Check this page:
web page

Where abouts in Utah are you?

Well, I should never have doubted the owner of the truck.

Thanks for the page. What exactly is a "powerglide"?

ChevyAsylum, if you're a fishing fan come on down to Scofield, stop in at the convenience store and say "hi".

Otherwise, I will be at the UVSC car show on May 22nd. Don't have anything in it, but a friend of mine is showing his Dodge Powerwagon for the first time there. I promised him I'd break away from the store to check it out.

Husker

Husker,

No, a 283 can't be bored out to fit a 327 piston. There is 1/8 inch larger bore in a 327 or .125 inch.
A powerglide transmission is the first Automatic transmission for chevrolet. It is a two speed and the first one I saw was in a 1950 chevy two door hard top.

Truck Tinker

Thanks for all the good info, guys. I'm the happy new owner of a 327.

Now, instead of my thread that said "my 283 sounds GOOD". It should read, "my 327 sounds GOOD".

I might not have known what it was, but I was dead on right about the sound.

Husker

Yes, it is possible to bore a 283 .125". That's the way we used to make the "301" engines way back when! They had cooling problems because of the thin cylinder walls, but they ran like stink! Chevy stole the concept in 67, and put a 283 crankshaft in a small-journal 327, called it a "302", and put it in the Z-28 camaro. They cheated half a cubic inch, as the true displacement is 301.46. The 327 also has 1/4" extra stroke, to 3 1/4" to get the 327 cube size. The old 301's used to go to 8,000 RPM with the right cam and carburetion, if a hotrodder didn't mind scattering one occasionally!
Jerry

Speaking of this, with the gentle prodding and consistent questions I've been asking him, the memory is coming back slowly to the guy I bought the truck from. He says he completely rebuilt the engine 20-25 years ago putting in all new parts and a 3/4 cam. It has a 2-barrel carb now, but he suggested I put in a 4-barrel.

What would you all do?

Husker

Hotrod Lincoln is right about boring a 283 sbc to a 327 bore. Maybe I should have went into detail and said that the cylinder walls would be very thin and would be unpractical for normal use in a daily driver. There are many variations that can be done with crank throws and blocks. I've been reading your replys, Hotrod and you are always right on base. I've learned a lot from your posts.

Truck Tinker

Thanks, Tinker!
I've been doing this stuff nigh onto 45 years, and I had the opportunity to grow up around a bunch of line mechanics who dated back into the 20's and 30's. I've spent the past 30 years or so passing the knowledge on to high school and trade school students, so maybe the wisdom of some of the oldtimers won't just disappear when I do!

A lot of my recent students are serving in various branches of the military, in some awfully nasty places. Keep them in mind, please, and be proud of their commitment to our freedom!
Jerry

Man oh man, Hotrod Lincoln sure brings back some memories. I had one of those 283/301 back in 1965. Very few folks knew what I had done and the fellows I outran (dragging) would shake their head and say no way can a 283 outrun me! Since I always told some "version" of the truth I would raise the hood and say "take a look for yourselfs boys"! Thin Walls?? yeah, real thin. While in the hospital for surgery two of my brothers took it to the local drag strip, ran it hot and I had a 3 inch crack in #3 cylinder. :mad: This I found out after pulling the head to see why I had to add water to it every couple days! THEN someone told me how "bad" it was until it starting missing. All my brothers would say is we won the trophy. :mad: Oh, this was in a 56 coupe.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane Hotrod.