My latest '67 Elcamino project came with the original 195hp 283 engine & power glide transmission. The engine has never been cracked open and performance is not really an issue here. I was wondering, aside from cylinder bore, what the major differance's are between a 283 and the 327? Are the rods the same and what is the safest maximum overbore on a 283 engine?

We're thinking about going with airbag suspension that will set it within an inch off the ground and "BIG 'OLE" shinny wheels. It's all about style on this project.
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Aside from bore size (4" vs. 3.875") there are differences in journal sizes as well. All 283s had a 2.30" main and a 2.00" rod journal size... aka "small journal"... pre-1968 327s shared these journal sizes. 1968 and later 327s share the same journal size as the 350... aka. "jarge journal"... they have a 2.45" main and a 2.100" rod jornal size.

Actual rod length is the same. Stroke is different (283 have a 3" stroke, 327 have a 3.25" stroke). There might be other minor differences as well... like a draft tube or special PVC system... but nothing big.

If you want any low end torque out of this, build the 327. Plus, the larger cylinder bore will stop valve shroudind if you're going to add aftermarket heads. Unless you put some money into the 283, I'd say it's strictly for economy and reliability IMHO.

Thanks Casey
If I put anything into the engine compartment it will be purely for appearance. BUT, isn't that how all projects start out tongue.gif tongue.gif tongue.gif