French 67 Camaro with 283 Engine

[aus67rs]

Hi, previous post has all the car details.  In summary, through GM France to Cambodia.
Body done and being assembled and ready to rebuild engine, however some concerns now I've had a good look at it.
Car decals are 327 and assumed this to be the case, however casting number 3756519 seems to be an older 283.  On removing heads, bores are all sleeved at 3.625", stroke 3.00" for a displacement of 248 ci.  Pistons at TDC .050" above block deck. Obviously not normal so suspect work carried out in Cambodia using locally available parts.  Shudder to think what has been done internally.
A couple of questions:
1.Is it possible the 283 was original?

[aus67rs]

Pushed the wrong key!  Second question:
2. Has anyone seen this type of sleeve and piston arrangement elsewhere.
My inclination is to bin the engine and source a period correct 327.
Any help appreciated.

[aus67rs]

Photos

[bcmiller]

Engine application code D was used for the 265 cubic inch engine in 1956 and for the 283 engine from 1958 to 1964. It looks like the casting date on that block is late in 1960, so if that's the case it's a 283 and not original.

[bertfam]

Specifically, it's a 283/170 with Powerglide from a 1961 full size passenger car.

As for the bore, that size makes no sense unless ALL the cylinders have been sleeved! The stock 283 was a 3.875" bore, so unless you measured them wrong, something is horribly amiss!

Ed

[KurtS]

>bores are all sleeved at 3.625"

I'd be looking for a new 327 (or 350) block.

[psy4s]

It was possible to get a 283 in the Camaro in Europe. That said, a car is only original till the first oil change. 350's are dime a dozen and historically reliable. They are nothing special as in they don't require anything special to live as long as you want them to. They are just Easy to live with. With very little money they can really fly.