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Old 03-23-2004, 04:23 PM   #3
lxndr
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Re: 1961 Impala 283 rebuild help!!!!

I rebuilt a 283 many years ago (and have rebuilt many other engines since). This was my first car and I wanted everything to look stock but also get a little more power out of it. I don't remember everything that I did to the 283, but I might still have some useful info.

What are you hoping to get out of your rebuild? Do you want something with a little more power than stock, or do you want to burn rubber?

Heres a quick rundown of what I did to my 283 after all machine work and balancing:

Replaced crank with forged 327ci
Replaced pistons with TRW forged 307ci (stock 283 rods)
Replaced heads with ported 'Vette 1.94/1.50s (2.02s won't fit)
Weiand Stealth Intake (similar to Edelbrock Performer)
Holley 600 cfm Carburetor w/vac secomdaries
Dual roller timing gears

This is about as far as you should go with a 283. If you need more power it is better to invest your money in a larger motor.

Sorry, I don't remember the jet size that I used in the carburetor, the camshaft profile, combustion ratio etc.

With these modifications my car became a quick daily driver. It had quite a bit more power and torque over the stock 283.

Over the years I modified this motor, but as usual I wanted more power. So I have built other motors and replaced the transmission and rear end ratio (etc) on in my quest for power. Needless to say my car is no longer stock. I still have this original modified 283 in storage somewhere and I am now doing a complete frame off rebuild to my 'ol 65 Impala.

Also, Im pretty sure that your stock engine used hydraulic lifters and if you are planning to have your car be a reliable daily driver, you should replace them with the same type.

Hope this helps
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