The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Should I look for a 283, 327 or 350 or an LS1?

I'd like to hear opinions about the pros and cons of several motor options.

I have a 1965 C10 1/2T SWB Stepside with the original 230 in it. I have no idea if it will run or not. It sure would be nice to know if it runs, but to check it would likely mean rebuilding the carb, new wires and plugs, and I think the fuel pump is bad too. So it will be an investment just to find out.

I keep seeing stuff for sale locally, like a built 327, a crate 350, and even lately an LS1. (LS1 was only $1000).

Now I think the 327 was available in the 1966 C10. I think I've read on this forum that a 350 will drop right onto the same motor mounts that are on my 230.

I'd like to keep the original 3 speed column transmission. I'm looking for economy over performance. Even a V6 would be an option I'd consider if the conversion were straight forward.

Bottom line - I want a stronger motor that will match up with my tranny and perform reliably for daily driving. What are the pros and cons of each option?

a 283 would have come in the truck,they don't get much simpler than that. It is a very reliable little motor that in stock/slightly modified trim will run great and do anything you need. It will not use the same engine mounts as a 6 cyl. However the bellhousing/trans will be the same.

The 327 and 350 are the same they will bolt in with the correct mounts, just more cubic inches.

The 4.3 V6 will also use the same mounts. You may have to do some extra work to get the tbi to work but it would be different from the usual sbc installs and dependable for a daily driver. Larry

Why not a 292" inline six....same genre as your 230 I believe?

If the 230 will turn, I could have it running in about an hour, with little or no investment beyond a set of fresh spark plugs, and maybe a set of points. At least that approach would tell you whether it would need major repairs. A 250 6 cylinder would be a bolt-in replacement, and a 292 would only involve relocating one motor mount bracket and a little bit of exhaust plumbing modification.

The 283/327/350 swap would involve about the same amount of work no matter which one you pick, as long as the 283 is a 1958 or later model with the side engine mount attachment bosses. Earlier 283's or 265's wouldn't bolt in without some major modifications to accomodate the earlier 4-point engine mount system.
Jerry

....economy over performance. I'd invest a little in the 6 cyl. you have just to know. If its good your way ahead. If not then you know what you have and can junk it or rebuild it.

Folks talk about how EVERYONE has a 350. Well, there is a reason for that. PLENTIFUL and parts are readily available and will be for years to come. Most of what you will ever need is available over the counter. I like the small blocks and with the right GEAR can be nice.
I realize you want to stay stick shift but if its economy you want then an overdrive trany would be nice?

Decisions decisions! (hope you make it to the reunion)

A 292 in good shape might be hard to come by. Certainly it would be enough power. Would parts be hard to get for the 327?
None of you have mentioned an LS1? I just missed out on one that sold for $1000, but there are more.

Lugnutz

Is this truck something you just purchased or had for a while? If it is new to you, I'd spend the minimal money to get the engine you have running, fix all the other items to make it road-worthy. Brakes, steering, lights, etc. Then just drive it for a while. Often I have seen folks buy a truck, do all these things to it they THINK they want then get discourged and disappointed.

When I first got my truck, I wanted a bone stock unit. Then by just driving to shows the first year I saw other options. I then went to a stock driveline with period available upgrades.

Its a blast!!!

The LS1 is a great modern engine but it is not even close to a bolt in like the aforementioned V-8's & 6's. Your flywheel will not bolt up, not sure about the bellhousing. You would probably be better off with an auto trans. That will require a driveshaft modification & shifter. You will need a computer and wire loom. Also need to modify the fuel tank for a pump and return line. Carburation systems are available but are pricy. Mounts would be another issue. Probably need to upgrade the cooling system also.

Fred

Sweet's approach is the most logical. It allows you to see what you have w/o a big investment and offers you time to consider all the rest. Nuff said, as my old freind Joe used to say.

It's good to know the stuff mentioned about the LS1. That's definitely outa the question.

The reason I did not get the engine running right at first was because I was a bit cash poor after the purchase and even if I did get it running, I certainly was not ready to drive it around anywhere. So I did the next most logical thing. I removed the bed and started restoring it. Mostly a time and elbow grease investment there.

If I wanted to, I could still try to get her running today since nothing has been disturbed that's either beneath the bed or in front of the bed.

I'm gonna guess that with 88K on the odometer, this old girl just might run. If it's got 188K, she sure doesn't look like it.

I guess the million dollar question is "Does the 230 run well?" and remains to be answered until after the weather warms up.

If the 230 is not gonna run, then I will probably lean towards a 350 like a lot of other folks. It seems the 327 doesn't have much popularity.

On the subject of economy, I bought a 65 with a 230 new. If you drove it under 50 it did pretty well but when you got over that it didnt do any better than the 67 with a 283 that I replaced it with. The 327 while a good engine is not an economical running one.I know the 327 was available in 68 as I bought one for the fire dept.

I'm resisting the idea of changing to an AT because I think the 3 speed MT is cool and also because it's factory (and I already own it - LOL!). The added fuel savings with an OD tranny would probably justify the added cost, but then I will need to find another steering column and then the list goes on and on. Maybe I'm just lazy? I dunno.

I plan to mostly drive the truck 20 to 30 miles a day. Not a lot of highway driving or long trips, but I will need to reach interstate speeds of 65 - 70 mph on most days.

Those 230's are a great motor. 35 years ago as a teenager I cut my teeth on one in my first vehicle. We changed the oil every 3,000 miles from the day it was new. When we sold it the motor had 150,000 miles on it and was still dependable... a bit loose, but still ran well.

Good luck and be sure to let us know how everything turns out.

Just talked to my neighbor. His son-in-law is doing a restomod on a 64 C10 longbed and getting rid of the 292 and the 3 speed tranny. It looks like I have options after all!

All this talk makes me wanna go outside and try to start it!

Inline 6's are just flat out cool also...!!!!

I agree with the the guys, get the truck running with the 230 or swap to a 250. If you want a V8, personally I would lean towards the 327. I had a 2bbl 327 that was transplanted into a 71 C10, it ran great and revved quick. It's a little more unique than the 350, but most of the parts are interchangable within the small block community.

I'll go along with these guys and say to stay with the 6 cylinders. They are good engines.
I am a V8 small block fan. If you are going to drop in a SBC, just go with a 350 because of the cheaper to build parts. You can make it look like a stock 283 if you like.
I have 283's, 327's and 350's. They are similar enough where most people don't know the difference. I love the 283's and 327's because I like to be away from the "norm".
If you are just driving it, either a 283 or 327 is just fine. They are beautiful and reliable engines and can be easily used with 2 or 4 barrel carbs. Just keep the carbs small.
If you want to build HP, use a 350.

If you want to build horsepower,use a 350? each will make alot of power, just depend on what you want, the 327 was the first to make more hp than it had cubic inches.

What I am saying is to use the money wisely if you are going to build HP. It is cheaper to build a 350, and the benefit will be bigger for the money. Also, if you want HP, I would think about going to a 4 bolt main....Not that a 2 bolt can't handle fair amounts of HP.
And, I believe it the 283 in 1958 Corvettes that first made more HP (290) than cubes.

It was actually the '57 solid lifter Feul Injection 283, which was available in any '57 Chevrolet Passenger car and the Corvette. However, it was advertised as being a "283 hp 283" because of the magic "1 hp per CID" being a good sales gimick. The actual out put was 290, which is what the '58 version was advertised at.

Back when I was a know-it-all high school student, I used to accompany some of our line mechanics to the GM training center in Memphis for a series of 1-week training sessions if the classes happened to be available in the summertime. During one of those sessions, I made the mistake of being critical of Rochester for discontinuing the Corvette fuel injection system. A GM field engineer straightened me out pretty quickly by explaining a few facts of life about fuel systems:

1. "GM loses money on every fuel injection system they produce"

2. "The only place the fuel injected engine proiduces more power than one with a carburetor is at wide-open throttle"

3. "If every gasoline engine in the world was equipped with the best fuel injection system we know how to build, and somebody came up with carburetors in their present state of development, it would be hailed as a major improvement in fuel system technology!"

That was in 1962- - -shortly before Volkswagen pioneered electronic fuel injection. That was a real game-changer!

So much for knowing more than the engineers!
Jerry

Mechanical Fuel Injection = controlled fuel leak