283 sbc in a 87?

[abeemanator]

I found a disassembled 1955 Chevy 283 on Craigslist for $65. I was looking at the pictures and concerned about a few things. I believe I have the know how to put this together and make it run. So here are my questions.
SBC 283 $65 Boise Craigslist

1. Rust Removal: How hard would it to be to remove that rust and still have usable parts.
2. Availability of parts: Such as gaskets, parts.ect
3. Installation: Will it fit without too much welding?

Any comments would be nice too, I am wondering how well an old rusty block, heads, cams.ect would clean up or if its just better to take it to the scrapyard.

[pennyman1]

It depends on how bad the rust is - vinegar is a safe and effective rust remover. If the rust is thick and scalely in the bores or ports or combustion chambers, they are scrap.

[LSR Mike]

Usually you have the block and heads hot tanked, and then machine the important surfaces. Look for 350 info, the blocks are the same externally.

[77amc]

if its' a stock '55 V8, then it's a 265 and not a 283.
Get me the casting #'s and I'll tell you what it is.
I'm dropping a 283 in my 88 long bed and thought that my Chevy II oil pan would make room for the center link but NO..
A friend said to notch the back of the pan instead of the front.
I just didn't feel like cutting a 150.00 oil pan. BUT I might have to.
If you have the stock distributor (points) get a pertronix set up and run an external coil. The small head will give you more clearance.

E

[LSR Mike]

They're still making parts for all SBC's

[4cylinders]

hey, if it is an original 55 block, it does not have side mounts or an oil filter mount. sell it to someone who needs to do a resto. the sbc's are physically same size 267-400. you can find lots of them cheap used, cheaper than a rebuild.

[camoit]

4 month old thread. It's dead and gone by now.

[77amc]

IT"S NEVER DEAD 'round here...

Had several things going on and got stumped by not wanting to cut my Chevy II earl pan to clear the center-link.
Another guy stated to notch the back of the pan instead of the front.

BUT, that's stopped 'til I can get this baby LT1 into my BMW vert.

E

[Fordubishi]

Find an oil pan out of a wrecked 4x4 they have a flat bottom and the sump is set farther back (70's 1500 or full size Blazer)

[4cylinders]

hey, not trying to hijack this thread, so will post a pic tomorrow of a pan.