Need help decoding a small block

[Jeffh]

Pulled it out of a what I am fairly sure was a 67 Chevy 1 ton. Might have been a '68 I wouldn't be able to tell the difference if there is one. "Supposedly" was the original motor. Casting number 3896944 which my book says 62-66 283. Date code on back of block appears to be K23 with either a 6 or an 8 for the year. Front suffix is a clear WA which my book says '65 283 or a '68 307 or a '69 350. I think I can discount the '69 350. But why no WA for '67 283 which I am fairly sure it is. I realize some of these codes and casting number books are a little messed up, does someone have a book that is the final word on whats what?

[geezer#99]

Does it have a road draft tube or the casting for one beside the distributor?
LMC shows WA as a 65,66,or 67.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=10

[Jeffh]

Sort of, doesn't have the road draft tube but has the fitting and a rubber hose back to the carb base. Does that tell you anything?
I didn't know LMC had that info.
I see that it also shows a WA for a '68 307. Might have to get a picture of the date code and see if you guys can tell me if it is a 6 or 8.
Please please please don't let it be a 307.....

[geezer#99]

Relax!
IIRC the 307 didn’t have a road draft set up.
And I think the cap and hose started in 66.
So it could be a 66 or 67.

[Captainfab]

What's wrong with a 307? I would rather have a 307 over a 283 any day. A 307 will produce more torque, which is what you need to move a heavy truck down the road.

Originally Posted by Jeffh

Sort of, doesn't have the road draft tube but has the fitting and a rubber hose back to the carb base. Does that tell you anything?
I didn't know LMC had that info.
I see that it also shows a WA for a '68 307. Might have to get a picture of the date code and see if you guys can tell me if it is a 6 or 8.
Please please please don't let it be a 307.....

[rvrfoot]

I have a 283 i will check the numbers or other thangs on the motor.

[Rich 5150 69]

WA----1965 to 67 chevy truck, C10/20/30 283. from the Mitchell interchange book.

[Jeffh]

Ok I'm better now. Pretty much confirmed its a 283. Talked to some guys at work that I believe kind of know their stuff and they agree like geezer said the 307 won't have the road draft tube place, the 307 has a spin on oil filter, no intake mounted oil fill and so on. They say the casting number is when it is cast and doesn't necessarily go with the model year of the vehicle such as the K236 being October of 66 for a 67 truck. Feel like I dodged a bullet (or boat anchor)
I guess we all have different opinions and experiences. I had a 307 in a 57 car back in the mid 80's and it was crap. My opin is the 307 is the red headed stepchild of the small block Chevy world and ranks dead last of small blocks I would want to own.
Guess I need to get a Mitchells book. I have always used the NastyZ-28 engine decoding and found they where the most accurate up till now but seems they dropped the ball on this one.

[rvrfoot]

My 283 motor.

[Jeffh]

Wow...
That is one sharp 283...

[Jeffh]

Heres my 283:

I got to hear it run and then help pull it out. All for the princely sum of $300.
'Course I got hit with the upsell and took the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, bellhousing bottom inspection cover, flat tin piece that goes behind the inspection cover, the starter and the radiator for another $40...
While I have been around 55-57 passenger cars since the late 1970's I am a newbie to the 60-66 trucks. I thought for some reason I could make the '67 radiator work in my '60. Naw...

[rvrfoot]

Originally Posted by Jeffh

Wow...
That is one sharp 283...

Thanks.

[rvrfoot]

Originally Posted by Jeffh

Heres my 283:

I got to hear it run and then help pull it out. All for the princely sum of $300.
'Course I got hit with the upsell and took the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, bellhousing bottom inspection cover, flat tin piece that goes behind the inspection cover, the starter and the radiator for another $40...
While I have been around 55-57 passenger cars since the late 1970's I am a newbie to the 60-66 trucks. I thought for some reason I could make the '67 radiator work in my '60. Naw...

Welcome to the 60 66 trucks.