The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 59 Apache 283, long or short block?

I have a 1959 Apache Fleetside that I am trying to make as original and driveable as possible. Folowing the advice from this forum's experts I went looking for a 283 V8. The experts were of course correct there are a lot of Chevy 283's available. However the sellers quote prices for what they call long blocks or short blocks. None of my manuals make the distinction between long or short block. Could someone please tell me which one will fit or which is more authentic or desireable? What do i look for in a "complete" engine and what parts will I need to ad. Another question on the same topic; when the sellers say long block are they refering to "Big Block" GM engines. I thought that Chevy made big blocks for larger CID engines not for the smaller 283's and 350's. I am so confused. Thanks again for the help, I love this place, Al Rudolph

Hy eightyeight, "short block and long block" are engine rebuilding industry terms, short block refers to an engine without cylinder head[s], long block is an engine with cylinder head[s]. If you buy a rebuilt engine the company will probably want a "core", that is a worn out engine to rebuild, or you can just pay the core charge, they may even wave the core charge on an old engine like a 283. You will have to supply a lot of parts to make this engine a runner, intake manifold and carb., distributer, oil pump, oil pan, water pump, exhaust manifolds, pulleys, brackets. So it might very well be worth it to buy a core, so you have all that stuff, hope that helps.

what 3B sez .... you want a long block, and you should be able to find a complete used 283 advertised privately 'for rebuilding' or as a 'rebuildable core' - and if the rebuilder has a 283 on the shelf, it's likely they'd be happy to sell it with no core, they prolly don't get much call for them anymore

Bill

Thanks so much for the info. I feel one step closer.

What is in the truck now?

Dear Wrenchbender, There is a V8 of some size with all sorts of chrome add ons that I really don't care for like corvette covers ect..I don't know how to tell what the engine is, do you know where to look to see it's age or size?

There is a pad on the right front of the block just below the head. It has numbers & letters stamped on it. Log on www.nastyz28.com & find out what it translates into. I think they use the 2 letters on the end. Some of the other bolters know more about this then I do.
I would buy a new Goodwrench 350 & paint it & dress it up to look like the original 283.