[Weasel67]

Here’s the situation. I have a 1967 chevelle 300 283 2brl, 3spd column, 3.08 gear. My dad bought new. All I’m trying to do is slightly update it. Changed to edelbrock Brock intake and 1406 carb. Swapped to a 200r4,1800 stall converter from BTO. It has no get up and go. Worse than before. I mean slow acceleration. Was told to change to 3.73 gear, so changed to posi unit and gear. Not much better. Can’t spin the tires, 215-70-14. I didn’t want to do an engine swap. Would changing the heads and cam provide any noticeable increase? I’m looking at edelbrock performer heads #61019, specifically made for small bore engines and cam #2102, along with the intake and 1406 carb.

 

[Weasel67]

I should also state that the engine is stock but was rebuilt. I added power disc brakes and tilt automatic steering column for this transmission swap.

 

[69_CHEV_ELLE]

What is your timing set at?
Is the carb tuned on the car, or are you running it right out of the box?

 

[Weasel67]

It’s at 4 btdc, I did tune carb.

 

[WHT/73]

Looks like you could have had 4 different 1st gear ratio's in the Saginaw 3 speed. As high as 3.50 1st! That would be a pretty good drop to a 2.74 1st of the 200. Here's the link I ref too. It has a description to tell which one you had.

Transmission Gear Ratio Chart

Transmission Gear Ratio Chart ~ Gear Ratios are listed for many popular transmissions...

m.roadkillcustoms.com

Scroll down to see.
A "tight" stock converter wont help things. Maybe one out of a s10 or gn would help.
More initial timing would help too.

 

[von]

Make sure you are leaving from a stop in first gear. With a 200 4R the cable and bracket that connects the carb to trans configuration and adjustment is critical. Leaving from a dead stop it should shift 3 times.

 

[pbcbob]

it's a small block chevy-the timing gears and chain are worn out, if you need confirmation do a compression test, what do you have for exhaust? even a mild engine can benefit from dual exhaust

 

[WHT/73]

it's a small block chevy-the timing gears and chain are worn out, if you need confirmation do a compression test, what do you have for exhaust? even a mild engine can benefit from dual exhaust

He said engine was reblt.

 

[BillK]

I hate to say it but no matter what you do a stock 283 is not going to have a lot of power. I had one in my first car and it was ok but would certainly not spin tires. I would accept it the way it is. If you want more power save up some money and build a new engine.

 

[z27]

I hate to say it but no matter what you do a stock 283 is not going to have a lot of power. I had one in my first car and it was ok but would certainly not spin tires. I would accept it the way it is. If you want more power save up some money and build a new engine.

Well here is my two cents worth ,back when i was a kid all they had was 283,s . the 327 was new and who could afford that so we fixed what we had . This is my advice to you . First off i don't care for Ebrock carbs they are a poor excuse for a carter AFB . A 283 needs torque so you have to give it some . I would first install a quadrajet as it will only supply what the engine needs for cfm . Find one in a bone yard from the late 60,s to mid 70,,s and rebuild it . You said the engine was rebuilt if so put a small cam in it one that will make lots of torque like the Crane 274 HO-6 or an Isky 270 not the 270 Mega cam you want the one that's. 216@50 . Elgin pro Stock makes an exact Crane copy of the 274 HO-6its a 1785-pk. Either one of those cams will give you some zap sound nice and work with your converter. Next have your distributor recurved and the right vacuum can installed for performance.The 200R-4 has a good first gear so that should give you a better launch but that cable has to be properly set up or you will trash the tranny hopefuly it has a shift kit if not install one . The 3;08,s are not bad they will be ok for what you have next if you dont have it already headers with dual exhaust and Cherry bomb turbo mufflers ,The ROAD RUNNER ones sound real nice if you can fit them under the car and i think you can on a chevelle. Next you have to tune the car if you can,t do it find someone capable that can its money well spent . I f you follow what i have said yyou will have a snappy little 283 that will be fun to drive and trouble free because you not over camming carbing or any othr mistakes . All of these suggestions work . When i was a kid me and my best friend Tommy did not have a lot of money to buy all fancy new stuff a lot of things were used and we rebuilt it . when you dont have a lot of money to waste you check out everything before you spend and then you want a lot for your money . Well those days are gone but not forgotten. Follow what i said you wont be unhappy with the results. anything can be improved even a go cart or a lawn mower. Your not going to run down the road like a L-88 Corvette but you will be happy with the result . Good luck Alex

 

[justdandee]

not expert advice but simply add I have seen some “snappy” 283’s. Some good points above- I am thinking your timing needs advance it’s to conservative- likely over carbureted in jet sizes- 283 is a small V8{4.6 liter) and they rev “snappy” when in tune. I always thought the 1406 was too weighted on the vacuum secondaries slower to roll on on small displacements. Run that compression I would encourage you to see what you have there and work with the tune a little more/ tranny adjust before doing some of the bigger items. Adding some other thoughts, there could be a vacuum leak with everything that has been done. if you-have access to a vacuum gauge that might be helpful to see about getting that timing dialed in/ mixture to see how much vacuum you are pulling.

 

[mr 4 speed]

Many years ago, a friend had a 76 C10 long bed pick up. The original rod knocking 350 was replaced by a 283
It had the stock 350/300 HP cam added, Performer intake/Holley 600 and headers. That little engine ran strong and it did spin the tires with a little help of a mild power brake to get it going.

 

[rp930]

I hate to say it but no matter what you do a stock 283 is not going to have a lot of power. I had one in my first car and it was ok but would certainly not spin tires. I would accept it the way it is. If you want more power save up some money and build a new engine.

^^^^^This^^^^
You have pretty much described my first car and are making the same mistakes. Accept it and build or buy a different engine.

 

[Geo71]

You have an od transmission, put in some lower gears. At least 3.73 shoukd help.

 

[RAIDER SS]

If you did nothing else to your ride other than going from a 3 speed Saginaw to a 200r4 - you would notice a big "seat of the pants" feel between the 2.

I'll bet if you went on a highway road trip, you'd notice a big change in MPG now as well!

 

[mrpaticular]

283's can be made to run quite well on the street. And, be quite economical to drive.

 

[69_CHEV_ELLE]

What happens when you boost the timing from 4 to 12?

 

[Alwhite00]

I would quit throwing $$$ at that 283 and throw a crate 350 or 383 in it and drive the wheels off of it.

 

[Chebell]

If everything else is checking out make sure do do a stall test on the new converter. Hold the brake and press on the throttle. The converter should not slip much past its stall speed, it it goes past it my a pretty big margin it’s probably junk. I’ve seen many new ones that were junk and it will make it feel like the thing is a pig. Metal in the pan is another absolute telltale. Just another suggestion

 

[vortec710]

BASICS...Do a compression test on all 8 cyls, read plugs, confirm TDC with a stop, if TDC is OK verify timing with timing light, making sure weights are not rusted, lighter springs in dist, full advance around 3000 RPM at around 36 degrees, dual exhaust ???, I would really suggest a GOOD WCFB carb as came on the 220ho 283's. A good WCFB on a reasonably stock motor is tough to beat and does not over carburate the motor. Others will suggest 38-40 degrees..too much on a relatively stock 283 for reliability / poor gas. As suggested above, make sure trans is utilizing 1st gear, a change to 3:73's should be a definite improvement off the line. Go slow, one thing at a time and GOOD LUCK.