Checking Oil on Chevy 283

[legoman67]

Well, i have aquired a free Chevy 283 and want to get it running, but there is no dipstick on this thing. I eventually discovered that you can check the oil through the vent tube on the front of the engine, but im not sure how you tell what is full, the stock dipstick was not there, and i used a stiff peice of wire to discover the passage to the oil pan.

Also how do i drain the oil?

Also is there a service manual availible online? 1965 Chev 283 Crate motor.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

Also how do i drain the oil?

Ayuh,.. Isn't there some sort of Drain in the oil pan,..??

Also is there a service manual availible online? 1965 Chev 283 Crate motor.

Nope....

I donno What the 'ell you've got there,... It Ain't a plain ole 283,...
The Distributer is on the Wrong end of the motor...

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

In your photo there shows a dipstick sticking out right front what is that for?
Sorry if it's a dumb question but with chevrolet engines I'm in the weeds.

 

[Zackman]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

It Ain't a plain ole 283,...
The Distributer is on the Wrong end of the motor...

That may be the correct motor, the drive is coupled to the front of the motor, unlike typical (or at least current) marine engines that couple to the back of the motor.​

 

[Bondo]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bond-o
It Ain't a plain ole 283,...
The Distributer is on the Wrong end of the motor...

_______________________________________________________________
That may be the correct motor, the drive is coupled to the front of the motor, unlike typical (or at least current) marine engines that couple to the back of the motor.

Ayuh,...

Which completely validates My statement.....

I now see the T-stat housing/ Gooseneck at the aft of the block,...
And,...
I now see the Oil Dipstick just to the starboardside of That.....

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

I though that was how all true inboard motors ran, counter-rotation?

 

[Zackman]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

I may be missing something, but...​

The distributor is on the flywheel end of the engine, which is correct for a 283. Even what appear to be the oil dipstick is in the correct location for a 283.​

 

[Bondo]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

I though that was how all true inboard motors ran, counter-rotation?

Naw,... They made 'em turn Both ways,... From Both Ends,....
This is only 1 oddball configuration of the BaZillions that there's been over the years....

ChrisCraft came up with some Wild variations of SBCs....

 

[legoman67]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

the dipstick on the front is for the transmission, not for the block. The serial number shows as a chev 283.

there are no bolts on the side of the pan where you would normally put a dipstick/drain oil. I did not see a bolt on the bottom when we removed the engine, but i will have another look.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

You might do a search - there was another thread recently that showed an engine and drive combination similar to yours. That's definitely a small block Chevy. The 283 had some unusual differences from the more common 305 - 350 blocks. Is it possible the dipstick either rusted off or fell off? I would suggest taking a hard look back behind the manifolds and see.

 

[meesh]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

Fishermark is correct. That is a small block chevy. Look at where the starter and the fuel pump are. Everything is bolted to the front of the motor. It was a backward install.

 

[Don S]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

Mercruiser did use the 283 in the early 60's, but I don't think they ran the tranny off the front of the engine. I do know Chris Craft did that even up thrugh the 70's.
The dipstick tubes were normally stuck in the block, not in the oil pan, and were usually routed up between the head and the exhaust manifold.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

I will have to take a closer look today for the dipstick.


The engine was in an ' Owen' 26 ft wood hull. Thats about all i know of the hull. No HIN or anything. Just 'Owen' in chrome on the side.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

Well after a quick rewiring and contact cleaning we got her running, only took about an hour of working on it from when it was pulled to when it first started. one of the risers is a little plugged up and not alot of water is going through, but the risers are on a seperated system and the block and manifold cooling is working fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWf2bwkBO18

 

[Don S]

Re: Checking Oil on Chevy 283

It needs some raw water pump work also, that's why the water stops flowing at higher rpms. Also, drop the pipes down a little before you end up with water back in the engine. From the pictures they look level with the the inside of the risers.
Sounded good though.