Engine Trans combination

[drohweder]

So I am looking a buying a cruiser with the following set up: Its a 74 with a 4.8 liter (283ci) Chevy V8, 2-bbl carb, Turbo 350 3-sp. auto, new 3.70 gears.

What is your take on that. I am not accustomed to seeing automatic trans in these rigs...whats the upside and down side. Thanks for your input.

Dan

 

[PabloCruise]

Some people like the autos - hard to kill while rock climbing.
Don't need that 3rd foot to feather clutch, stomp brake and tickle gas all at once
Turbo 350 = plentiful, cheap, fairly robust.

Downside, it is not a manual, no longer all Toyota, FWIW

Is it an old school 283? Also pretty plentiful, cheap, easy to work on...

 

[drohweder]

How is a 283 going to compare in power to say a 2F and 350? My current rig has a 350 but its a much heavier FJ55. I've never driven a 40 with a 2F.

 

[Landpimp]

with a V8/auto combo in a 40 I have heard the rear driveshaft is real short. also the front drivesahft might come close to hitting the tranypan, at least on my 350/400 combo it does........the PO "fixed" this with the aplication of a big hammer to dent the pan..........clears now

power should be fine, more I would think then a 2f but the torque will not be as low in the RPM range(as a 2f)

 

[HI^C]

Look at the trans and length of adapter used. shorter the adapter better engine placement and longer the rear driveshaft. The pan clearance, and front output changed to a smaller setup will
need to be done with all the GM auto setups, if is running and drivng with 4x4 then it should already be done.

I run 406sbc th350 short OLD AA 1.75" adapter to lc4speed in my setup DD and love it.

283 will be alittle low on power, but can be changed out to any SBC at any time.

 

[drohweder]

When you say it can be changed out at any time does that mean than any sbc could basically be dropped in there and mated up....like a plug and play thing? My uncle sells engines so I might do that down the road cause i can get one for super cheap.

 

[fj40charles]

When you say it can be changed out at any time does that mean than any sbc could basically be dropped in there and mated up....like a plug and play thing? My uncle sells engines so I might do that down the road cause i can get one for super cheap.

I believe most SBC will interchange.

283, 305, 327, 350 will work. L98, LT1, TBI, TPI, and Vortec will bolt right up.
The only gotch I can think of is the newer
LS1 motors. These should be 2000 and newer.

 

[drohweder]

So you may have to adjust the motor mounts and do some welding but it will mate up with the adapter easily. I wouldn't mind a vortec cruiser......now you got me thinking and I have not even bought the truck yet!

Question is: Would it be worth dumping a perfectly good 283?

 

[HI^C]

fj40c is correct, also include the SBC 400, but your plug and play gets a little more difficult more electronics you throw in there. Unbolting and bolting it in is the easy part.

yes and no, if you got the extra $$$$, time, and desire more performance, then why not pull it. Set it aside just in case or even pull the casting numbers to sell it Collectors and restores are buying some early motors again. '57-'67 production yrs on a 283. I can help with casting number info.

If its good why not run it, we had a 68 model 307 sbc with over 500,000 miles and it is still going today. Changed only 1 set of rings, 1 set of main bearings, timing chain, and a number of vavle cover gaskets. drive it a few yrs, save $$$$ till you can go to what you really want by then the engine you want now will be dirt cheap.

 

[78 One owner]

I believe most SBC will interchange...283, 305, 327, 350 will work. L98, LT1, TBI, TPI, and Vortec will bolt right up.

I've run a 305, 327, and several 350's. All hand me down's, and served me well till I got one that ran better. My Cruiser is getting the 350 from my Suburban in 2 wks or so. Putting a K block with an autoT/TC package in the Burb to make it easier for Momma to haul my boys in. Can you say ARMOR?