Quote Originally Posted by techinspector1 View Post
Maybe the only pistons you'll find for it are rebuilder specials, with a reduced compression height. That will play hell with your squish and static compression ratio, neither of which are desireable. I would go with a more popular motor that I could get parts for. A 250 with a tall rear gear, 8.0:1 to 8.5:1 static compression ratio and very short cam (192/204 @0.050" tappet lift) might be my choice for a gas-sipping daily driver. A cam such as the Crane 200511 would offer brute low end torque, smooth idle, fuel economy, a cruise rpm of 1600-2200 and an effective operating range of 800-4200 rpm's. I'd use equal-length, tuned headers (3 pipes into each collector, X pipe before the mufflers, 2" pipe to the rear bumper.
Thanks for the informative information. I think I've located a rebuilt 283 that I might swap for the 194.