Cams, Cranks, and Pistons: Putting together the short block on our 283 Chevrolet

Our 1966 Chevy 283 Small-Block is inching more detailed and closer to running again. Today things are in fact returning into the block. It's always an exciting minute for Davin and the team when we begin seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. So, stay tuned because the benefit for this one in quick approaching.

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Cams, Cranks, and Pistons: Putting together the short block on our 283 Chevrolet

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26 Comments

  1. Very good point, never just assume that since the numbers add up means everything’s good. It happens to the best of them.

  2. And I remember having this conversation with a friend that said ” why are you going over the motor? And I said, if you mic and plastic gage everything to spec and lube everything, you know the motor will last and perform as it should and in most cases better than when it came off the production line. I don’t like walking home. I would rather drive it home seeing that I’m the one who put the motor together.

    1. It looks so sweet at the end when he spins it over, pistons and all… This engine ‘should’ last a very, very long time.

  3. When installing the oil pump, my automotive college teacher drilled through the bolt and took airplane wire and tied it off so the bolt would not drop into the oil pan.

  4. Concerning the question as to why put so much detailed effort into a stock engine. You only get one chance to do it right the first time!!! My question to the guy that asked that would be, if you are going to spend the money and time to rebuild ANY engine why would you NOT put in the effort to do everything possible to make sure it’s as good as it can be???

    1. I would’nt like to have the question guy rebuild my “regular” engine. As if only super engines deserve his attention ! 🤔

  5. There’s a question ; how many times can you align bore the mains on 1 SBC block ? Now that you have moved the crank where is your deck height? Stock SBC is 9.020. Rebuild pistons(overbore) set the deck height at 9.000( to allow for decking of the block). As meticulous as you are being I’m sure you will check where the pistons are in the hole once assembled. As for being thorough I will tell you this. I’ve built many different things. That %1-%2 you spend perfecting each component adds up to %5 at the end product. FWIW, IIRC, In my experience. 😛

  6. If you think critically about offsetting the rear seal including the little tool that comes with the rear seal that keeps the grooves from cutting the back side of the seal and what has to happen as the cap is installed, it doesn’t make sense.

  7. Hi Davin, loved the video and your approach to building the engine, couldn’t agree with you more, do it right or don’t do it at all, brilliant job, well done, take care

  8. I had that exact problem with the first 318 I built. Well known machine shop in the area, they’ve built over 1000 racing engines, do lots of stock rebuilds, machining, etc. Took the block in to get it decked, bored 0.30 over, cam bearings, line bored, etc. Got home, started assembling it, checked the crank clearances with a plastigauge, had way too much vertical clearance, and too little horizontally (like the crank would not turn). Took it back, turns out the machinist had an “experienced” new hire set up the line bore and the kid didn’t zero the machine correctly, so it was off. Because of that and a couple other issues from other customers, the kid got fired. Machinist reset the block, went over the whole thing, got it straightened it out. Wasted some time and some gas, but at least didn’t cost me any money. And the shop was up front that they screwed up.

    1. I’m gonna get beat up for saying this, but shame on the machinist for not dog walking that new experienced employee. I’ll give ’em props for taking care of the problem but they ought to have paid for your time & gas too 🙂 Yes, I’m a harda**, I know.

  9. My buddy’s 64 Corvette was restored before he acquired it, and it’s a beautiful car. Seriously amazing. Whoever built the 327 in it did nothing about balancing the rotating assembly, and it’s about the shakiest SBC I’ve ever seen. He’s fine with it, but if it were mine, that engine would come right outta there for some refreshing.

  10. “Why would you spend all this time and effort for a bone stock build”
    Its called building a bullet proof engine that, with proper care and regular maintenance, will last for another 300k miles.

  11. The reason to put so much detail into this stock engine is precisely because it is stock. You do not intend to destroy the engine by racing it. Besides, Grandpa always said “if something is worth doing, it is worth doing right”.

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