63 Nova SS V-8 conversion

[Charlie Dawson]

My 1963 Nova SS V-8 conversion is in full swing. All the original 6 cylinder running gear and 4 lug features has been removed. The 1963 283 engine has been rebuilt and detailed. Junior, owner of Chevy II Only and I have developed a "unofficial marriage" with the cost of all the conversion kits, rear end, and 4 speed transmission he has sold me.
I removed the front end to maake the work a bit easier and decided to repaint the Nova after the engine is installed.
More later, Charlie

 

[Dick MacKenzie]

Show us some pictures Charlie!

 

[k9hotrodder409]

Charlie , Welcome to the site. Great group here and lots of info on the "W" engine. Enjoy the ride. We have a few "W" powered wheel standing Nova's on the site. Hope you can check them out on the 2012 & 2013 Thompson meet threads.

 

[Charlie Dawson]

Attached are a few Pics

 

[Charlie Dawson]

Show us some pictures Charlie!

 

[Charlie Dawson]

Dick, "show more pictures" you have created a picture posting monster ! attached are a few more 1963 Nova progress pictures
Charlie Dawson

 

[Dick MacKenzie]

Dick, "show more pictures" you have created a picture posting monster ! attached are a few more 1963 Nova progress pictures
Charlie Dawson

The more the better Charlie! You're going to have a really cool ride when you're done with this one!!!!

 

[chevymusclecars]

My 1963 Nova SS V-8 conversion is in full swing. All the original 6 cylinder running gear and 4 lug features has been removed. The 1963 283 engine has been rebuilt and detailed. Junior, owner of Chevy II Only and I have developed a "unofficial marriage" with the cost of all the conversion kits, rear end, and 4 speed transmission he has sold me.
I removed the front end to maake the work a bit easier and decided to repaint the Nova after the engine is installed.
More later, Charlie

I did one of these conversions with a friend of mine. I built a 63 engine with all the correct 340 HP parts and the car runs great. If you run a 4 speed with the early block you will have an issue with the clutch linkage but they make an adapter that works but will give you some problem if you don't make modifications.

Bill

 

[BSL409]

Very nice

 

[tripower]

Nice rig... I had 2-63' Chevy II Novas. 1-SS in 78' and 1-Chevy II 2dr ht in 79'

 

[Charlie Dawson]

I did one of these conversions with a friend of mine. I built a 63 engine with all the correct 340 HP parts and the car runs great. If you run a 4 speed with the early block you will have an issue with the clutch linkage but they make an adapter that works but will give you some problem if you don't make modifications.

Bill

Thanks for the tip..I'll give Chevy II a call and get the correct adapter for the linkage.
Charlie

 

[bjburnout]

Love it Charlie.............want to do the same thing........
just happen to have a spare L79 and 4 speed....now just need a 62/63 Nova rag....
Will be following this thread closely..........
&
bj

 

[Charlie Dawson]

Love it Charlie.............want to do the same thing........
just happen to have a spare L79 and 4 speed....now just need a 62/63 Nova rag....
Will be following this thread closely..........
&
bj

BJ, You have an extra 4 speed and want to buy a NOVA...I had an extra 1963 283 engine that inspired my conversion. I bought a real nice 1963 Impala Convertible SS (options included A/C, Cruise Control and more). It was born with a 327 300, the owner messed up the 327 so he replaced it with a 283 using as much of the 327 parts as possible on the 283. When I had the 283 rebuilt, the machine shop informed me that it had 327 parts (pistons + ??) so it turned out to be a "kick ass" 283. I located a correct 327/300, had it rebuilt and put it in the Impala...well this left the 283 all dressed up and nowhere to go. So, like you are thinking, I bought the '63 NOVA SS and away we went. Attached are a few "before and after" pics of the ' 63 Impala engine swap.
Charlie

 

[Don Jacks]

Charlie,For a 327 piston to fit in a 283,the 283 would have to be bored .125.That would give you 301 plus cubic inches.The 250 hp 327,and the 283 used the same head,and your pictures show the "power pack" head markings.If you have a 4 barrel version of the 283,the intake and carb were the same,making the swap easier.Because the 283 has 1/4 in less stroke than the 327,the above combo with "327" pistons would yield an engine with a dismally low compression ratio.Maybe he meant 327 sized aftermarket pistons such as were availeable from TRW.That car is BEAUTIFUL,and should be a lot of fun.I'd love to have a "Chevy Duce" convertable..

 

[Charlie Dawson]

Charlie,For a 327 piston to fit in a 283,the 283 would have to be bored .125.That would give you 301 plus cubic inches.The 250 hp 327,and the 283 used the same head,and your pictures show the "power pack" head markings.If you have a 4 barrel version of the 283,the intake and carb were the same,making the swap easier.Because the 283 has 1/4 in less stroke than the 327,the above combo with "327" pistons would yield an engine with a dismally low compression ratio.Maybe he meant 327 sized aftermarket pistons such as were availeable from TRW.That car is BEAUTIFUL,and should be a lot of fun.I'd love to have a "Chevy Duce" convertable..

Don,
I have used Magnum Machine for all my engine rebuilds. My talent stops after I remove and then install the engine, plus I am the anal detailer bringing these beauties back to Factory specs..Anyway, I looked at my engine rebuild invoice from Magnum Machine. What I referred to above "as much of the 327 parts as possible" in mechanic language is: the 283 block has 327 rotating assembly. 4" bore, 327 crank shaft, 31/4 stroke, 327 pistons, cam=214,224 443, 465 lift. The block is a 1963 283, power pack heads (I think oversize ports & polished), 283 4bbl intake with original Rochester carburetor. I'm an old "Factory Original Look" restorer, when the hood is closed, and the original hubcabs are installed, my NOVA SS will be a sleeper. One of Magnum's employees is a 60 year old guy that commented "this is what we used to do to the 283s in the "day" to get more performance out of them ??? I do not know, I hope it runs it's ass off as I'm a 66 year old guy that had a 57 Chevy in High School and Loves to detail old Chevys and Fords.
Charlie

 

[Don Jacks]

Charlie,I love what you've done,and it WILL rip!!!!

 

[Phil Reed]

Charlie.....not familiar with "Junior" but did Joe Grom sell Chevy II Only? I knew him from the Super Chevy Sunday days.