The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 265 or 283?

I have just bought a 1957 long box. The old owner described the engine as a 283 'but not sure'. I thought only 265 came with the truck but now I have read that the 283 may have also been available. Is there an easy way to tell the difference looking at the engine? I have not taken delivery yet so I can't quote any casting numbers.

the 283 as standard v8 for light trucks didn't start until right at the end of 57, but bigger trucks had them and they were prolly optionally available for light trucks if the buyer requested

check the numbers - also the 265 didn't have the built in oil filter, 283 does - other differences are internal

Bill

Oil filter! Perfect - I will check it soon. Thanks

I think the block mounted oil filter canister
came on the 265 in 1956. I had a 1956 Chevy with
a 265 and I am sure it was the original engine.
It had the block mounted filter on it.

Arnie

1/2 to 1 tons ahd the 265 until '57, the 283 wasn't used in them until '58. Also, the '55 265 was the only year without a filter, '56-'57 have one. Your engine should be a gray color.

How about the offset valve cover bolts? When did they change that?

I believe it was 1958 but not sure. I was at a swap meet recently and there was a guy there with a set of early Corvette valve covers with the off-set mounting bolt pattern and he said 1958 was the first year for the inline attaching bolts. He seemed to know what he was talking about but maybe not.

arnie

The 265 were used in 1956. 1957 did offer the 283, but not many people realized it because it was never advertized.

The offset valve cover holes were changed in 1959. They may have been changed over in late '58, but I'm sure it was the 1959 model year when the holes were changed to inline style.

Many parts guys sell offsets and list them for 1956-57. My 1958 Corvette and 1958 truck both have offset valve covers and they are number correct vehicles.

According to the 1957 Chevrolet truck shop manual, the 283 was only used on 2 ton and larger, the 265 was the option on 1 1/2 ton and smaller. There was also a 322 Loadmaster (Buick) V-8 that was used in 2 ton and larger.
I tink that '59 is right for the valve covers, but I have seen later heads that were drilled for both patterns.

Thanks for the comments and information guys...

I found an old '57 Chevrolet Truck manual that has been missing for years. amazing what you can find when you ask yourself a question you can't answer.

Page one tells me that the engine source, production date and type desigantion is stamped on the right front of the V8 block.

Under Engine assembly p 6-84 I see that there were four engines with full specs available available: 235 - Thriftmaster, 261 - Jobmaster, 265 - Trademaster, and 283 - Tashmaster.

At page 6-88 there is a description of a description of a Loadmaster engine. It is painted red with 4" bore and 3.2" stroke. compared to 3.75 and 2.298 for both the 265 and 283.

At page 6-39 the Taskmaster 283 is described as standard on 5,7, and 8000 and optional on 6000 while the Trademaster 265 was optional on 3 and 4000 series trucks.

The text would indicate that Task master and Load Master were used for models 7000 and 9000 as well as 8000 and 10000.

So far, it looks like the shop manual would indicate that the 235 was standard and 265 optional on the light trucks. I will be interested to find out if some 3000 series trucks were delivered with a 283.

Does anyone have further research material?

I can assure ya that any option that was available could be had if the customer asked for it, listed for the model or not - if you had the dollars, they sold the parts

one possibile way to find out about your particular setup is to get the restoration pak for your vin number, from GM Canada if it was made here, or from the US if built there - may even have installed options listed, my CDN 57 panel, special ordered emergency yellow with side windows [for use as an ambulance] had good info

Bill

My 59 with 283 does have the offset bolt pattern on the valve covers. I am also thinking that the 265 had the straight exhaust manifolds with the drop at the back. 283 exhaust manifolds were the rams horn style with the drop at the center.

I agree with red58. I also read in one of my books that the 283 could and was ordered in some smaller pickups in 1957.

BruceK. what is the date code and casting number of those heads? The log style manifold was used on 1957 283cu Corvettes. I think they were used on passenger cars too. I can't tell you what was on trucks in 1957.

Don't have the casting number and date code for the heads handy Builder. Do know for a fact that the engine was untouched when I purchased the truck which is a 1959 with offset bolt pattern heads and rams horn manifolds.

On most of the 57 passenger cars,if it had a V8 ,it was a 283. 265's are rare in the 57 cars,it seems odd that a truck would usually have a 6, considering it needs to pull more weight than a truck.
Lothar

I suppose that if a dealer or fleet buyer wanted the 283, and ordered enough of them, GM might have built them on a COPO basis. I do know that they did build trucks in some of the same plants as cars, so a 283 being slipped over to the truck side isn't inconceivable. But none of the factory liturature gives any reference to the availability of a 283 in the 1/2-1 1/2 ton truck.
KillerKnight, it really isn't too odd that a truck would have the 6 rather than an 8, trucks of that time relied on low end torque instead of high rpm horsepower. Low end torque is something that an inline 6 has in great abundance compared to the v-8. Also, given the gearing that a truck has, the 6 was all that you really needed.
On the other hand, wouldn't it be really cool to find one with the Feully Corvette 283, maybe in a Cameo?

Longbox55,

You know it isn't inconcievable that placement of a higher end motor in something like a 1957 Cameo could have happened. Back then certain people within the plant could get what they wanted with their clout. It just isn't likely that we would be able to get our hands on one of these IF it did exist.