1961 Impala 283 rebuild help!!!!

[Motor1961]

Can anyone give me info on my stock 283ci V8 in my 1961 4dr HT Impala are where to find the info. I am trying to rebuild the engine and add some upgrades (Cam, Intake, Carb., Headers,etc). I had the engine rebuilt (2001) before but left it sitting up for three years. Please let me know where to start. Does anyone have any pointers or suggestions. Also can anyone tell me if the car came stock with hydraulic or mechaincal lifters. Please lend me your knowlege being that I am a novice and willing to learn all the ends and outs of "do-it-yourself".

[Master Tech Dude]

I think the question is where to start looking because there is so much info on the internet about Chevys. Here is a link that will keep you busy looking at many different years of Chevy projects.
http://www.carlynx.com/mak/che.htm

[lxndr]

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

[dxrflyboy]

I would advise heading to the local bookstore and picking up some books on the subjects. HPBooks publishes several, including "How to Rebuild Your Small Block Chevy", "How to Hotrod Small Block Chevys", and "The Chevrolet Small Block Interchange Manual". I believe the interchange manual focuses mainly on '68-up large journal engines, so the first two would be more helpful to you. I know there are dozens of other books out there on the subject as well, since (I believe) the SBC enjoyed the longest production run of any engine design!

[knucklebuster2]

Here's How To Rebuild Your Small Block Chevy. Great book! Contains all the specs, step by step instruction, many photos. I highly recommend it!

[406Elcamino]

You can stroke the 283 but the earlie one will require grinding on the block to fit the longer stroke crank.

[406Elcamino]

283's through 61 arent clearenced for the longer crank. Starting in 62 they are relieved at the bottom of the cylinders. Need a 62 and up block.