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Need a new engine

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dandan
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Need a new engine

Post by dandan » Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:29 pm

Hey all, this is my first post about this topic. I've searched the forum and found anything related to this topic is many years old.

I have a '66 Cavalier 16' with a 283. Won't idle, difficult to start without starting fluid, won't run under about 2500 RPM, and leaves some blue smoke behind it. After taking the heads off, I found burned up valves and seats, plugged water journals in the heads, leaky rusted-through engine block. I want to replace it.

The boat is not really a showpiece, so I'm not concerned with matching numbers. I'm a wooden boat enthusiast so I'll be working on the boat a lot to get it looking and working good.

When shopping for a replacement engine, can I merely find a 283 and swap parts around? Is there something about the motor that makes it a marine motor, besides the bolt on parts from Chris Craft? Does the single engine Cavalier run in the same direction as a car motor? Would a 327 or a 350 really make a difference in the Cavalier performance?

That's probably enough questions for now. I'm sure I'll have more when I get into it. By the way, my budget is about $3k.

Thanks for reading,

Dan in Alexandria, VA

dandan
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by dandan » Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:57 pm

A few pics. This is the valve issue I mentioned, and the leaky block. 2 spots on the block seep water when running. Nevermind, I can't seem to get picture uploads to work.

jim g
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by jim g » Mon Apr 30, 2018 11:36 pm

Any small block Chevy will fit in place of the 283. All the parts will bolt on. There will be some minor mods you will have to make. Anything more then a 283 you will have to do a little grinding on the inside edge of the oil pan as 2 or 3 rods will hit it. If you have the manual gearbox you will have to drill the oil passage hole up the nose of the crankshaft.

Also anything bigger then a 283 you will need a bigger carb and a better intake so the engine can get enough air into it.

The camshafts are different for the marine engines. You want a standard automotive rotation engine. It will become right hand rotation when its turned around to be a flywheel forward engine.

If its a 283F series you will need a opposite rotation engine.

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Bilge Rat
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by Bilge Rat » Tue May 01, 2018 6:55 am

The Chris Craft marinized Chevy 283 was a very popular engine and tons were made. If you Google Chris Craft 283, you should find a lot of sources for everything from long blocks to complete engines. If the block is weeping water, a new block should still be accessible. Heads/valves can be reconditioned if they're still serviceable as they are standard small block Chevy. Post some pictures here if you can as there are a couple of models of the 283.
1966 Lyman Cruisette 25 foot "Serenity Now!"
1953 Chris Craft Sportsman 22 foot "Summerwind"

dandan
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by dandan » Wed May 02, 2018 8:43 am

I've been searching on the internet for replacement 283 engines or parts like suggested. I can't find any place that sells a new or remanufactured 283 engine or any place that has heads with the same casting number. Talking to the folks at Jasper engines, they can hook me up with a rebuild, but the price starts at $4,800 + core charge. That's outside my budget.

I'm wondering if a 350 crate motor would be my best bet. They seem to be plentiful.


Nasty valve and seat
IMG_6530.jpg
IMG_6538.jpg
Two rusted-through weep holes in the block. Freeze plug was missing when I got the boat. Cleaned out the bilge really good and still haven't found the old one. This is a temporary one from my collection.
IMG_5893 (1).jpg

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drrot
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by drrot » Wed May 02, 2018 10:08 am

Here is a 350 for under $2K. It says not for marine use but what that really means some stuff (freeze plugs) need changed. They also will not warranty one in a boat.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perfor ... 8gQAvD_BwE
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

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mfine
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by mfine » Wed May 02, 2018 11:54 am

I would get a marine 350 long block. You need to drill the oil hole and drill and tap the water outlet on the heads, but other than that everything should bolt on and look like a 283 with 260+ hp.

That will be the cheapest way to go and still look original.

dandan
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by dandan » Sat May 05, 2018 12:52 pm

Maybe it's just my mood today, but I'm thinking that I'm going to sell the boat. The boat itself has never been restored and the wood is in pretty good shape. The trailer is pretty good too. I thought this would be a good project boat for me, but I'm not setup to be building engines. I just wanted a wooden boat to work on.
IMG_5925.jpg

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drrot
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Re: Need a new engine

Post by drrot » Sun May 06, 2018 8:33 am

Click on "Trading Dock" at the top of the page and post an ad.
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

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