lincoln400 and chevy 283

[Joe Werner]

my dad wants to rebuild my 57s 283 and i would rather rebuild my mark V 400 i would say the conditions of most motors is about the same the lincoln knocks buty the chevrolet does about evrything else. what would be cheaper to rebuild? i think the lincoln motor might be a lil better shape besides the loud knock.

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Don't know about the 283 version itself, but in general, there are few motors that are cheaper to rebuild than a Small-block Chevy; the parts are maddenly cheap. ( Maddening when you start rebuilding mills that AREN'T SBC... )

Machine work is pretty-much the same...

Which car do you like better? ( Or is either motor going in the same chassis ?)

[Joe Werner]

both motors would be going back into the orginal cars. i like the lincoln better just because its a bild ol lincoln.

[Guest De Soto Frank]

I'd be surprised if the Lincoln motor is cheaper to rebuild or to operate, but since we're presumably talking about hobby cars, it's probably good to put your money where your heart is... ?

I "followed my heart" (and not necessarily my brain) last spring and rebuild the engine for my '60 Chrysler Windsor. It was that or probably junk the car.

So, I invested about $1,100 in parts and $400 in machine-shop services, and rebuilt the RB-383 motor, and got the car back on the road again.( This was a conservative overhaul, no boring or new pistons, no performance goodies. Parts for these MoPar engines also run more expensive than SBC.)

I really like the car, and enjoy driving it tremendously, but it has other issues (rust in the trunk, needs paint chrome, etc), and it drinks a LOT of gasoline (at $2.69 /gal).

If I remember correctly, you have a '57 Chevy (also)? The Chevy will be cheaper to overhaul, and cheaper to run (generally speaking) , but it will not have the comfort or "bling" of the Lincoln...

It might help you make your decision to price-out a rebuild for both engines, figuring on boring the cylinders and fitting new pistons, having the crank turned and fitting new bearings, etc. and see how the numbers compare.

If you're looking for a driver, also consider "what else" either car needs

(brakes, tires, suspension parts, etc)... the vehicle with the cheaper engine overhaul might be the bigger money-pit in other terms...

I don't know if there are any fatal flaws with Lincoln engine that should figure into the picture...

Good luck...