283 with 305 Vortec Heads

[DoubleDingo]

Have any of you built a 283 with 305 vortec heads? If so, how did you like the outcome? Considering doing this with an unmolested 283 I have laying around. It is 2 barrel bone stock from 1965. I know in this day and age most people want big blocks or built 350's and typically use them in lieu of the smaller cubic inch power plants, but I am unconventional in my thinking and also old school in my ways.

 

[bucket]

I'd like to see you do it. I think it would be fun with steep gears and an OD trans.

 

[Jims86]

It'll be a screamin ************!

 

[HotRodPC]

DO IT !!! I'd love that combo !!! Mild RV Cam, you'd have a 6000 rpm motor that is fair on MPG IF you can keep your foot out of it. With the low cubes, your compression won't be so high that you can't still get by with running 87 low grade pump gas, and the Vortec heads are Unleaded safe. Sounds like a great combo to me. It's been a zippy putting around town truck, but won't be the best for towing a heavy load since it won't be a torque monster with that small bore and short stroke.

 

[DoubleDingo]

What I have read the setup can beat a 350 but the power hits a little later. The truck it's going in will have a gear vendor gear-splitter-OD that will give me 8 forward gears. I will only use 6 of them because granny low is useless on the street unless you're pulling stumps from somebody's front yard or towing a semi really slow...lol... It should get much better mileage than a 350. I was getting 16 per gallon before with a 350 without OD.

I have some more research to do, but from what I am finding, locating some 12552520 castings is going to be a challenge. Everyone wants the 12558060 or 12558062 vortec for the 350. The 12552520 has 1.84/1.50 valves that work well with smaller cubic inch engines. Summit doesn't carry them, neither does Jegs or GM Parts Direct. I am hitting up engine shops now. The casting is from 1997+ chevy trucks with 305 power plant. I guess I could hit the junk yards too. Haven't been to one of those since 1992.

Edit: I am not sure about the 283 beating a 350, but the guy that did this mod on his 283 owns a 55 Bel Air and his buddy owns a car from the same era with a 350, and his vortec 283 beats his buddy's 350. He said the 350 has more low end torque but the 283 has more power that hits later. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I contacted a machine shop in Sacramento and they referred me to Clearwater Cylinder Head. I have an email into to them to see if they have a set or can point me in the right direction.

 

[bucket]

Have you tried the dealer? The 350 heads are a fair price still, maybe the 305 heads are too.

 

[Stroked]

Seems like I see the 305 heads for sale all the time around here in the online classifieds. You might be able to snag a set cheap off eBay too.


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[kleedus]

i have 3 283 core engines

i have built a 283 with old style 305 heads it ran pretty good

i have a 72 vega that i have been thinking about putting a mildly built 283 in so i will be interested to see how the 305 vortec heads work out

 

[HotRodPC]

I'd much rather have a 283 than I would a 305 or 267. Strong ass bottom ends with forged steel cranks built on smaller journals so they spin up the RPM faster and less friction. Used to, you could pick up 283 cores for free everywhere like you can 305 cores now. I'd like to have one to make an mpg motor.

 

[89Suburban]

 

[DoubleDingo]

I'd much rather have a 283 than I would a 305 or 267. Strong ass bottom ends with forged steel cranks built on smaller journals so they spin up the RPM faster and less friction. Used to, you could pick up 283 cores for free everywhere like you can 305 cores now. I'd like to have one to make an mpg motor.

MPG's is the main reason for me doing this, but I had a 283 in my other '65 truck and that thing ran like a champ, and got good mileage too. Just didn't like the way it covered one side of the engine and engine bay with oil and of course that is the side where the alternator is mounted on those engines. I cannot remember which side...lol... When I swapped in a 350 I didn't nearly as far on a tank of gas. Was disappointed in that, but I was young and dumb and thought the 350 was going to be better on fuel. Back then you could still take a weekend trip and not pay more than $60 in fuel. Now $60 might fill the tank if you're lucky.

 

[DoubleDingo]

i have 3 283 core engines

i have built a 283 with old style 305 heads it ran pretty good

i have a 72 vega that i have been thinking about putting a mildly built 283 in so i will be interested to see how the 305 vortec heads work out

I won't be able to do this for few months, so right now I am gathering info. Looking forward to the project though.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Seems like I see the 305 heads for sale all the time around here in the online classifieds. You might be able to snag a set cheap off eBay too.

I have tried Ebay and cannot find anything but a head gasket kit for a 305. Craigslist has nothing, Jeg, Summit, nothing. Yesterday I got a number to Clearwater Cylinder Head and will be calling them this week to get more info.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Have you tried the dealer? The 350 heads are a fair price still, maybe the 305 heads are too.

I may try that too after I see what CCH has to say. May end up being a wash depending on shipping from CCH vs going straight to dealer for fresh heads. One advantage for CCH is I think they refurbish them with a 3 cuts on the valves, I don't recall the factory heads having 3 cuts on the valves, but I may be wrong.