The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 283 intake manifold

My '58 3200 has a 283 V-8 made between '58-'62 according to the cast numbers. I don't think it is original. There is no oil filler tube which I thought was present on all these engines. I'm wondering if all 283 intake manifolds are interchangeable. Also, some previous owner installed an Eddlebrock carburator. Since it fits the manifold, would a '58 air cleaner automatically fit the carburator?

You may not have a 283 manifold, sounds like it's a post '68 manifold, since it doesn't have the filler. Also, the original carb would have been a 2 barrel, so the filter won't fit unless it has been modified. I believe that most smallblock manifolds do interchange, though. The "Edelbrock" carb is a relatively new item, based mainly on the Carter AFB, which itself wasn't in use until the early '60s, mainly on Chevy and Chrysler performance cars (SS 409, 413/426 Max Wedge, 426 Hemi, etc) and would not have been OE on GM trucks.

Thanks, I'd like a more original look with the oil filler tube and '58 air cleaner additions. So it sounds like I need a different manifold and a 2 barrel carb before I can put on that cool '58 air cleaner. My concern was whether it was possible for engine coolant and oil to mix if I put on a different manifold.

I don't think that would be a problem. Just make sure to seal the ends of the manifold properly so you don't get oil leaks. Also, any pre'67 intake will get you the oil filler.

Since you don't have the original engine and the current one runs ok, why not leave the 4 Bl carb and manifold. Otherwise you have to find a 2 Bl manifold, carb and air cleaner. You might look for a 57-58 passenger car 4 bl air cleaner. They are fairly expensive as the the guys doing a correct restoration want them. Most people that look under the hood don't know what was stock anyway. Fred

I could leave everything as is, but I admire a stock appearance alot. I'd also really like to put on original valve covers with "Chevrolet" and throw away mine with PCV valves and oil filler cap, that's another reason I'd like the filler tube on top. I'm in the early stages and have alot of ideas right now. I bought this in part to get my hands dirty and learn.

I don't think mixing oil and coolant will be a problem. One of the nice things that comes with a chevy small block is the interchangability of parts.

If you want original looks with script valve covers, oil filler tube, etc., you will want earlier heads with offset valve cover holes too. Buy the book Chevrolet by the numbers book by Alan Colvin. Although numbers matching may not be what you are after, the casting numbers that you are looking for would be reletively cheap and quite available.

Just be sure you don't cause more problems than you cure. Later engines with a PCV system are somewhat different from the early engines with the draft tube. If you end up without a suitable way to "vent" the system you can have oil leaks from multiple sources. Fred

Pats, assuming it runs ok, paint it orange and 98% of the folks looking at it wont even be able to tell if it's stock or not...

(People are constantly asking if the 283 in my 39 is "stock", even tho it has wiand valve covers, and eldebrock intake and a chrome air cleaner.)

My cylinder heads do not have offset valve cover holes, but I've seen script covers that aren't offset and are the only parts I've aquired at the junkyard so far for this potential project. I'll have to do homework on the draft tube since I don't know where it is. My block is '58-'62 and I was guessing someone had put in a PCV system just because of the Edelbrock carb they installed on a later intake manifold. I could be wrong, but I thought I read the crakcase on these old engines was ventilated somehow through the original carburator? And yes, I'm sure I'd be the only person impressed with the changes I'm considering. I appreciate everyone's input.

Pats58:

They did make script valve covers for the later heads too, not just the offset. They will work just fine if the offset hole thing isn't a big deal to you. Most people wouldn't notice or know the difference.

The older engines have a tube that runs down the rear of the engine on the right side. It is called a draft tube. It is ventalation for the crankcase. On the intake manifold with the filler tube, the filler tube is also a vent for the crankcase. If you replace the valve covers with no vents, you'll want the manifold you are seeking in place because you will be eliminating the vents on the valve covers.

Your original question was about the stock air cleaner fitting. That will be determined more by the carb you have in place now.

I will be assuming that you are thinking of getting an original oil bath air cleaner, and you do not have one laying around. If that is the case, take your current air cleaner off and measure the diameter of the top of the carb where it attaches to the air cleaner. Take note of the depth of that flange. The original oil bath air cleaner will be tightened on that flange with a hose clamp type mechanism. It is not attached from the top with a wingnut and a stud in the center of the carb. The oil bath air cleaner has a wingnut in the center of its top, but that is to service the air cleaner, not to secure it to the carb.

If your carb is a later model, it might not work. Can you tell us what carb you have now?

If you want, I'm sure I have all the parts you need to bring it back to a stock look.

Thanks for the information. I'll check these things out soon.