i just had my van picked up because I think the rings were shot it was smoking and burning oil bad! my question is what would be better rebuilding the 283 or replacing it with a 350?

283's are good - 350'd better -only due to cubes!! all cost about the same if done the same -just costs of the larger engine if u dont have it??

it's real hard to beat the SBC crate motor prices. There is everything from a stocker rebuild to a storming race motor.
example GM
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-10067353/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-19201331/

and there are plenty of others
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/350-Crate-Engine-290-HP-HO-12499529-P824C2.aspx

OK maybe i forgot to say what do you think would be the cheapest fix? the rebuild or crate?

Thats really going to depend on how much if any machine work must be done to the block and crank. Getting the heads redone can easily be 400$ in this area. I recently had a 454 punched and new cam bearings and plugs put in for a little over 300$, but then you may would have to add the cost of a new rotating assembly if the crank and pistons must be changed out. add the cam and new lifters,, it can add up even with a DIY . If you can luck out and only need the heads done and get by with a basic rebuild kit and DIY it would be cheaper to rebuild a SB. IMO

Another option if you wanted cheap would be to find a running vehicle with a good running small block in it and take it out and put it in your van and sell the carcus for scrap! Billl

that is an option too. well i will wait and see what my guy says is wrong with the motor then figure out what route to take. Bills66 i dig the rims on your van.

If cost is an issue you could very easily pick up a 305 off of Craigslist for a song and would be an easy bolt-in replacement for your 283....

Dan

The least expensive way to replace your engine is to shop for and buy a donner car where you can hear and see the engine run. Then emediatly post in the local papers that you are parting out the vehicle and sell anything else people are wiling to by. If you do that right you may end up with a good running engine for free plus so other parts you thought you didn't need.

Thats the way I do it. I bought the donner trans am GTI for my TPI power plant package with 700r4 trans and rear disc brakes for $2300 and parted out the rest of the car for a $1800 return.
M1D

RockDog,

M1dadio has a very good point. I've broke even and some cases turned a profit on all the parts vans I have bought and stripped out and even after removing the parts I originally bought it for....

m1dadio wrote:The least expensive way to replace your engine is to shop for and buy a donner car where you can hear and see the engine run. Then emediatly post in the local papers that you are parting out the vehicle and sell anything else people are wiling to by. If you do that right you may end up with a good running engine for free plus so other parts you thought you didn't need.

Thats the way I do it. I bought the donner trans am GTI for my TPI power plant package with 700r4 trans and rear disc brakes for $2300 and parted out the rest of the car for a $1800 return.
M1D

That is a great way to do it. i wish i had the space to do it that way. I will have to keep my eye open for a place that i could pull that off.

Check these out:

Dan

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/2246438249.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/2246438249.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/2243606978.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/2241260842.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/2240236361.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/2239382606.html

Has anyone ever told you guys that y'all are the best? I so glad I got my van and found this forum because all of you all have jumped right in and helped me so much! it is like my biker community where everyone helps everyone. I have taken so much crap from my wife about this van but she will see it is all well worth the work I’m putting into it. she said I should sell it and buy a $500 car to get back and forth. I told her she is crazy and doing that opens a whole other can of worms. She is just mad that this is the second time I have used the tax return to rebuild a motor in one of my classics. But like I always say she will get over it.

Dan i will go through these and keep checking Craigslist
thanks again everyone and if y'all can keep thinking of stuff keep it coming!

What you are experiencing is why we "All" are here RockDog! What we are doing for you we all have had other members do for us at one time or another. "WE ARE ALL PART OF ONE VERY LARGE VANNING FAMILY" There's no "Muscle car" market for these vans so it's a labor of love for all of us. So if you need help, just ask and if someone else need help and you can help, please do....

Dan

oh i will be jumping in where i can for sure!