Parts from a"76 350 to a '64 283 long block?

[Rickchevy56]

Hello Again
Thanks for the help in the previous topic of putting a '61-64 Chevy 283 long block replacing a tired '76 stock Caprice 350. Besides the carb and mainifold would other parts fit on the 283 like the ramshead manifold, my new starter,.etc?
Of course I know I should use a new water pump but would other stuff like the power steering pump, fuel pump, etc.
Thanks much
Rick

[silicon212]

Most external parts should bolt up, but keep in mind that your belt drive will have to be significantly altered for use with the 283 as the 283 isn't going to have the accessory bolt holes on the heads.

Another thing - is this 283 going into that Caprice? I wouldn't think it would be enough engine. That is one large beast, and this coming from someone who's past cars include a '75 Caprice 4DHT. My '75 struggled with a 305 I had put in it.

[Rickchevy56]

Oops! I should of re-stated the 350 engine is from a '76 caprice but it is in a '64 Impala which had a 283 2bbl. as the original engine.
By the way would that 283 have enough power to run an after-market AC system. The car did not have before or now. I hear that those AC systems are a bear to put in; is that true?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by Rickchevy56

Oops! I should of re-stated the 350 engine is from a '76 caprice but it is in a '64 Impala which had a 283 2bbl. as the original engine.
By the way would that 283 have enough power to run an after-market AC system. The car did not have before or now. I hear that those AC systems are a bear to put in; is that true?

To be honest with you, although I have been around a while now, I don't have any experience with those aftermarket A/C systems as they predate me by a few years. Everything I've had has had A/C at least at some point, from the factory.

Anyways, the 350 will bolt in and you can use all of your 283 accessories including intake, distributor, rams horn manifolds, etc.

[Blue Bowtie]

Be a little careful about mixing and matching the water pump and accessories, since the belt centers may be different. The there is the previously mention head mounting hole question, as well as the engine mounts and possibly the earlier fuel pumps interfering with some later type accessories.

Aftermarket A/C units are usually no real problem in an older vehicle like that. The problem occurs in about the early '70s, when dash panels and heater boxes were being changed over to more plastic, and supporting the evaporator/blower unit from the dash could be a problem. There should be enough space under the hood now to install even a second engine, let alone a tiny little AC compressor.

If it were mine, I'd try t install it in such a manner as to affect the original parts as little as possible. Drill or cut as few holes as possible, and try to avoid doing anything that cannot be "undone" to restore the car to its original condition.