383/440 Long Blocks?

[sanders7981]

It's been a while since I've done anything to the Charger,mostly all that's left is to get the drivetrain done and hook up the fuel tank/lines.  My uncle is doming the motor work for me since I am restoring his 65 C-10... And he's footing the bill on the engine build.  I gave him my 69 dated 383 to build upon.... However, he feels that it'll be cheaper if he just buys a long block and goes from there instead of disassembling the 383 and going through it and making it new again to include painting it...

So, I did some looking and have not found any 383 long blocks from the major suppliers, to include MOPAR, Indy, etc..  All I have found is 440s, the various HEMIs, small blocks, and stroker builds.   I don't care what goes in it, as long as it's a big block that gets 450-500 hp.  But why are there no 383 long blocks?  I'm not a engine guy, so please educate me. 

[ws23rt]

Demand is the biggest motivator for a supplier. ---The 383 is a great engine but if few want one theirs no money in supplying them.

[sanders7981]

I figured as much...  I'll have to talk to him and see what he says.  I'd like to stick to the 383, but I won't complain if he buys a 440.  Nicer if he got a 426 

[polywideblock]

 at bottom of the page       http://www.cmengines.com/se/search.aspx  

[sanders7981]

I checked out CME a while back.  I recall someone having a bit of trouble with their engines, so I steered clear.  They used to have 383s in stock, but not anymore. 

[303 Mopar]

I checked out CME a while back.  I recall someone having a bit of trouble with their engines, so I steered clear.  They used to have 383s in stock, but not anymore. 

I got a 408 stroker from CME for my '71 Challenger.  I never could fix all the oil leaks, and they delivered it with the wrong valve covers and a flex plate for an externally balance motor when it was internally balanced.  Be careful ordering crate engines.   

[myk]

With something like an engine I'd go local, guys...

[sanders7981]

I checked out CME a while back.  I recall someone having a bit of trouble with their engines, so I steered clear.  They used to have 383s in stock, but not anymore. 

I got a 408 stroker from CME for my '71 Challenger.  I never could fix all the oil leaks, and they delivered it with the wrong valve covers and a flex plate for an externally balance motor when it was internally balanced.  Be careful ordering crate engines.   

I can't afford for that kind of issue... That's why I kind of ruled them out and just went with the major vendors.

[myk]

What major vendor did you use?

[Mike DC]

 
Whenever they made the same motor in several different displacements, the smallest one is always the Rodney Dangerfield. 

Easiest to find, same work & expense to overhaul as the others, but least results to show for it.

[sanders7981]

What major vendor did you use?

Haven't committed to one yet, but I was looking on Mopar Pro Shop, IndyHeads.Com, ATK, and in Year One. 

[Mike DC]

 
Indy serves big-time clients a whole lot better than small ones. 


Ask Year One how much they will charge for shipping on a crate motor.  Given how much they rip people off for shipping smaller stuff, the answer might be pretty funny. 

[ACUDANUT]

I checked out CME a while back.  I recall someone having a bit of trouble with their engines, so I steered clear.  They used to have 383s in stock, but not anymore.  

I got a 408 stroker from CME for my '71 Challenger.  I never could fix all the oil leaks, and they delivered it with the wrong valve covers and a flex plate for an externally balance motor when it was internally balanced.  Be careful ordering crate engines.  

Flex plates vary, but after being in the hobby for 30 plus years, I know there is no such thing as a " flex plate for an externally vs. internally balanced engine ".  These are not weighted or anything like that.
Now, a flywheel for a manual transmission is another story. Also torque converters do vary with internal vs. external balanced blocks.  Anyway, In short I don't believe you have all the facts here.
Also, How can you get the wrong valve covers ?
BTW, I am a huge fan of 383's.  Just rebuild it.

[Troy]

I checked out CME a while back.  I recall someone having a bit of trouble with their engines, so I steered clear.  They used to have 383s in stock, but not anymore. 

I got a 408 stroker from CME for my '71 Challenger.  I never could fix all the oil leaks, and they delivered it with the wrong valve covers and a flex plate for an externally balance motor when it was internally balanced.  Be careful ordering crate engines.   

Flex plates vary, but after being in the hobby for 30 plus years, I know there is no such thing as a " flex plate for an externally vs. internally balanced engine ".  These are not weighted or anything like that.
Now, a flywheel for a manual transmission is another story. Also torque converters do vary with internal vs. external balanced blocks.  Anyway, In short  you don't know what your talking about.
Also, How can you get the wrong valve covers ?
BTW, I am a huge fan of 383's.  Just rebuild it.

I will disagree - specifically in the case of the various 360 ci engines. I'd need to do some research to refresh my memory on the subject.

Here's something I found rather quickly:
http://ramchargercentral.com/technical-discussion/360-magnum-torque-convertersflex-plates/msg1924017/?PHPSESSID=a4fcb3800432cd3d56211d79a99b58e7#msg1924017

Troy

[ACUDANUT]

 I thought we were talking about big blocks.  

[303 Mopar]

I checked out CME a while back.  I recall someone having a bit of trouble with their engines, so I steered clear.  They used to have 383s in stock, but not anymore.  

I got a 408 stroker from CME for my '71 Challenger.  I never could fix all the oil leaks, and they delivered it with the wrong valve covers and a flex plate for an externally balance motor when it was internally balanced.  Be careful ordering crate engines.  

Flex plates vary, but after being in the hobby for 30 plus years, I know there is no such thing as a " flex plate for an externally vs. internally balanced engine ".  These are not weighted or anything like that.
Now, a flywheel for a manual transmission is another story. Also torque converters do vary with internal vs. external balanced blocks.  Anyway, In short I don't believe you have all the facts here.
Also, How can you get the wrong valve covers ?
BTW, I am a huge fan of 383's.  Just rebuild it.

This is an inaccurate statement.  An externally balanced 360/408 stroker requires a flexplate with a half moon cut out.  An internally balanced engine (weights on the crank) requires a full circle flex plate.  Note the two differences in the B&M flex plates here:  http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/b-m/part-type/flexplates/make/dodge/engine-size/5-9l-360/engine-family/mopar-small-block-la/product-line/b-m-flexplates?autoview=SKU&sortby=Default&sortorder=Ascending

My 408 came with an external flex plate when it was internally balanced and shook the car violently because I assumed CME knew.  When I switched it to an internally balanced flex plate it was smooth as butter.

[oldcarnut]

I thought we were talking about big blocks.  

I was too but I see how it got shifted to small blocks but for the sake of the big block plate question since I want to confirm something I'm working on, they are the same?

[Troy]

I thought we were talking about big blocks. 

You weren't specific in your answer (you made it sound like you were speaking about torque converters in general) but you also quoted something specifically about a 408 stroker (which starts life as a 360 small block).

So yes, the original question was about big block long blocks but the answer regarding the 408 was about a specific builder's quality - which shouldn't matter when it comes to big/small block.

Troy

[303 Mopar]

I thought we were talking about big blocks. 

You weren't specific in your answer (you made it sound like you were speaking about torque converters in general) but you also quoted something specifically about a 408 stroker (which starts life as a 360 small block).

So yes, the original question was about big block long blocks but the answer regarding the 408 was about a specific builder's quality - which shouldn't matter when it comes to big/small block.

Troy

Yes, apologies to the OP that I started down the SB path but my comment was referring to my personal experience with CME.

[sanders7981]

I thought we were talking about big blocks. 

You weren't specific in your answer (you made it sound like you were speaking about torque converters in general) but you also quoted something specifically about a 408 stroker (which starts life as a 360 small block).

So yes, the original question was about big block long blocks but the answer regarding the 408 was about a specific builder's quality - which shouldn't matter when it comes to big/small block.

Troy

Yes, apologies to the OP that I started down the SB path but my comment was referring to my personal experience with CME.

No worries, I don't think I'll even mention cme to my uncle... Time to talk him into the 440!  If he generous, maybe a 426 !! 

[sanders7981]

So I did some more searching, and a buddy of mine called a vendor, mopar performance I think, and was told they offer seasoned 383 long blocks for around $8,000.  I'm thinking it may just be cheaper to drop in a complete 440.  Atk has them for $10k. 

[myk]

Is ATK a reputable company?

[Mike DC]

 
$8k for a rebuilt 383 long block?  


A place might offer that price, but it doesn't mean any customers are taking them up on it.    


Keep looking.  

[myk]

Is that too low of a price, or something?

[polywideblock]

I checked out CME a while back.  I recall someone having a bit of trouble with their engines, so I steered clear.  They used to have 383s in stock, but not anymore. 

I got a 408 stroker from CME for my '71 Challenger.  I never could fix all the oil leaks, and they delivered it with the wrong valve covers and a flex plate for an externally balance motor when it was internally balanced.  Be careful ordering crate engines.   

so why didn't you take them up on the full 12 months written warranty that comes with ALL their motors ?

go to the web site and read the spiel     http://www.cmengines.com/

here's just one of the mag articles   http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/mopp-1104-mopar-complete-crate-engines-guide/

they are mentioned in EVERY  crate motor write up in the rags  including mopar action and mopar muscle ., have been around since 1985 and built over 50,000 motors 

[303 Mopar]

For their warranty, I would have had to pull the motor and ship it back.  It then goes to the back of the line for pressure testing and diagnostics.  If they did not find anything I would be responsible for shipping to and back.  I thought it was a simple leak, but after changing valve cover gaskets, the rear main, the oil pan gaskets, and the filter gasket, there was still a leak.  I even did a die test and it showed several points of leaking oil.

I would highly recommend using a reputable local shop to avoid all shipping and potentially easier to hold them responsible if there are issues.

[sanders7981]

My uncle has found an engine builder for the 383!  I gave him my hp/to level goal, let's see if this can happen!  I also sent this article for reference....


http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/mopp-1108-2011-07-383-block-here-we-go-again/