Cylinder Heads 283 or 305

CCing heads to find out what Static and Dynamic compression ratios will be.

[@willymccoy3427]

Last 283 I built I used a set of late '70s 305 heads in a '82 GMC pickup. It ran like a scalded cat.

[@billracine1751]

I have a 283 bored 30 over and I used the 416 castings in my 29 model A roadster and I am very happy with the performance of this little motor, it also has an old tri power manifold with three small base Rochester carbs.

[@thomaskoshinsky7768]

Get thin shim metal gasket for 283 use Ultra copper gold spray on the gaskets.stay true to the engine

[@vtwinaddicted5852]

Build that same combination back in the day, it really ran great!!!

[@notrodtv6113]

We will see, I put the project up for the summer. I plan on getting her done when it cools off down here.

[@skyhawk409]

I used stock 350 heads and stock head gaskets on my 283 comp was a bit low . 600 holly 65 jets never had a problem

[@markmeister2444]

I have a stock bore 283 I found on Faceplant.. Numbers show it's out of a 58 Vette, it was a 290 hp FI motor, and I'm going to run a set of 906 Vortec heads on it.

[@craigcampbell6690]

Good choice..you'll Luv those heads on the cheap ..hardened value seats ..more Compression...😎

[@chriswells1440]

Use 416 casting home ported . People have ran 11's on mild builds with those heads. Don't unshoud the valves don't go bigger than 1.84 on intake with those heads.

[@victorjudice7344]

You can install 1.84 intake on a 283 I think will work due to thicker castings.

[@Spiritof_76]

It works because the 283 has a larger cylinder bore than a 305.

[@reeferreborn3245]

too late on overthinking it! Been doing that for nearly every step of the way. But I learned a lot.

[@johnnywrench9669]

Hey try to run a straight edge,if your flat and true try to use a steel shim gasket with those 305 heads , I would say that it's a good combo for a 283

[@notrodtv6113]

I pretty much have no choice but to try a steel shim. I’m measuring 45 thou in the hole on the block after installing the rebuilder pistons. The block is true but maybe the roughness is not perfect. Not sure why so much but I’m guessing it was an engine for low performance. My machinist said my block was in good condition no need to deck. he is not a performance minded guy and I didn’t know about quench until it was too late. The heads are fresh machined. I will copper coat the steal shim and the deck but not the heads. Hopefully they hold up and I can maintain a respectful 60 thou quench.

[@johnnywrench9669]

@@notrodtv6113 sounds good, you should be able to get a good runner ,the 283 if I am correct has a flattop in it too so you will have good compression also .I really think you did the right thing. Don't overthink it like I sometimes do lol.

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

@@notrodtv6113 The cheap rebuilder pistons manufacturer assume the deck will be milled at least .020", that is why it is so far down the hole. The factory used steel shim .020" thick head gaskets with the factory pistons .020" in the hole to maintain a .040" quench mathematically from the factory blueprint numbers. Of course those numbers weren't always what they were supposed to be but that's a story for a different day.

[@Spiritof_76]

@@notrodtv6113 A lot of that talk is just maximum performance, squeezing out every bit of horsepower. The engine can run fine without everything that people claim you "must do."

[@jeffa4920]

305 heads have harden valve seats, a must for unleaded gasoline.

[@bharris265]

That's only if you're running REALLY hard. A 283 probably isnt.

[@Spiritof_76]

It's not a must. There are plenty of old engines running around on modern gasoline.

[@HowardJrFord]

283 head was much more durable due to the thicker deck . 305 and 79 and later 350 heads have thin decks and are extremely prone to cracking .

[@futurefarmermatt9803]

It’s a 305. 58cc is 305 I believe 73cc or something like that is the 350, not sure on the 283, but those are 305’s

[@jeff0nyschuk670]

Those heads are 283 heads ,,Because the big spark plugs holes in them..

[@mschiffel1]

Not motors...they're engines.

[@mschiffel1]

@Andrew The Mechanic An engine powered two wheeled vehicle.

[@Spiritof_76]

Petty. Makes you feel smart writing stuff like that. That's why racing is called "motorsports," right? Ford Motor Company was just a bunch of idiots because they used the wrong words...

[@mschiffel1]

@@Spiritof_76 Hahahaha

[@Spiritof_76]

@Andrew The Mechanic The one American car company that didn't need to get bailed out during the great recession, or get purchased by Mercedes or Fiat. That Ford? (And no, not a Ford fanboy... I own a wide variety of makes.) But your joke would have been funny regardless.

[@duaneafields]

So.. Department of Motor Vehicles. Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

[@mannyceballos9888]

160cc vortec s

[@bricemichalski7254]

Did you ever figure out a good gasket for the heads? I've got a similar issue I've got a 0.30 over 305 with 416 heads I'm wanting to install. Thanks

[@notrodtv6113]

I used Felpro 1094 with copper sealer. The disclaimer does not say "do not use with lightweight heads" but it does say you should have flat surfaces with a particular smoothness. As you can see my heads are rebuilt and I assumed they were the correct texture, I would consider my block deck in good condition so I used the recommended copper sealer for other than perfect surface areas. These gaskets have a strange thin rubber coating that does not seem to take the copper spray well. I also Cooper painted the deck and gently put them together as they began to tac up. I spoke to a machinist and he said that would be the best route and should work well. I still have to put my Intake and Carb and accessories on. The eps edelbrock intake recommends a particular gasket but I opted for one from summit that have the water heat passage restricted. The restricted not restricted was another mini research project lol. If I were to do this again I would have decked the block regardless of what the machinist said. You want to get good compression with the shorter rebuilder pistons that assume you are decking. You also want to use a forgiving gasket and still retain good quench. Good luck. After my boat project Ill be back on the SBC stay tuned.

[@MasterWitchDoctor]

416 heads are crack prone MAC = make another choice

[@notrodtv6113]

@@MasterWitchDoctor unless you want to spend the dough there are not too many choices out there for small chamber heads. If I had a 327 or 350 the world is my oyster, But with a 283 you have rebuild Power-Paks, 305, World Products Torquer 305s, Then onto edelbrocks and more and more $$$. You are right, not the best combo. I still have the original heads and parts so maybe I'll rebuild them one day.

[@bricemichalski7254]

@@MasterWitchDoctor Crack prone or not 416 heads is what in going with a buddy of mine has had no issues with them smaller cube motors you just get guys putting them on motor with higher cr's that's where the issues start I dont think 30 thousandths is going to make a big difference on a 305 with identical heads...

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

@@notrodtv6113 The 305 Vortec heads would be the ticket but then there would be the extra expense for an intake. But would still be less than just a set of aftermarket aluminum heads. As for flow numbers for a small cid engine it's hard to find better heads for the same price. The Stan Weiss head flow website has the flow numbers right next to the 350 Vortec heads and the average flow is actually better with the Vortec 305 heads.

[@robertbeard4832]

Wish I had rose 283 heads where are ya

[@notrodtv6113]

sorry not 4 sale.

[@tubedude1077]

I guess there are ok if you are happy with a 38000 rpm red line .after that you have no good air flow . ported 283 heads would be the better choice

[@robbiewallace2754]

Powerpak heads are only 1.72 intake valves and 1.50 exhaust valves. The 305 ho heads are 1.84/1.50. If the intake valve is smoothed underneath the valve then they will flow really well. Add a quadrajet intake and your good and a mild camshaft your golden. I have seen so many people do it. These heads flow really great if this is done. I know someone that did this to a 327 chevy and it ran amazing in a C10 truck with a 350 transmission and 3.73:1 rear gear.

[@carlinshowalter1806]

That would be a hell of a 283 if you could wind it to 38,000 RPM!

[@Spiritof_76]

@@carlinshowalter1806 That dude didn't have a clue what the hell he was writing about. The 283 hasn't been built since the late 60s, and GM couldn't make a head that flows the same or better in the late 80s? With the right cam, a 283 with 305 heads would run great.