383 question

[dukeboy_318]

got a question, were all 383s externally balanced and did some come with forged cranks???

[terrible one]

Earlier ones came with forged cranks I think.

[chargerman68]

Earlier ones came with forged cranks I think.

[Ghoste]

They didn't start changing over to cast cranks until the 71 model year.  I believe any big block Chrylser prior to 1971 will have forged and some after that year as well.

[dukeboy_318]

so a 64 383 most likely will have a forged crank, sweet, ive got guy locally with one for 50 bucks, turns over easy too

[Nacho-RT74]

They didn't start changing over to cast cranks until the 71 model year.  I believe any big block Chrylser prio to 1971 will have forged and some after that year as well.

MAYBE some 2bbls engine could it be casted ? dunno really.

[Chryco Psycho]

2bbl 383 had cast cranks in them even in the late 60s

[dukeboy_318]

cool, this ones a four barrel has 516 heads too

[Nacho-RT74]

2bbl 383 had cast cranks in them even in the late 60s

I wasn't wrong then after all

[Ghoste]

Really?  Learn something everyday here.    I've never seen one in anything older than a 71.  Was it just the 383 two barrels CP? 

[dukeboy_318]

went back to that junkyard and you'll never guess what i stumbled across, give you a hint, has four letters as a name, HEMI, 426, only problem is that the damn thing is junk, huge whole bout the size of a golf ball on the number 5 clyinder, no valve covers either and sitting out side, the heads are hot, rust and pitted badly, dont think anything gonna clean them up   if it was useable, id bought that thing, didnt have my camera with me or id take pics of it, guys also got a 340 dart swinger in the barn in the yard too, but he wont sell it.

[John_Kunkel]

The only 383's that ever had cast cranks were the '70-'71 2-barrel motors when hooked to an automatic trans. All previous were forged (all the way back to '59) as were the '70-'71 2-barrels when mated to a standard trans.

[Ghoste]

I'm rather befuddled now.  John, you and Neil are each one of the best sources of reliable info anyone could consult, but you say 70-71, CP says late 60's and after your post I checked a MP engine book and it says 71. 
Which answer is right?? 

[bull]

2bbl 383 had cast cranks in them even in the late 60s

Huh? That's the first I've heard of that. Why would they bother putting cast cranks in just the engines that ran 2bbl carbs?

[Nacho-RT74]

same reason why they could have lower compression pistons too ? and diff manifolds ?

[Ghoste]

I just checked a couple of other Mopar engine books and they both say beginning in 71 too.  What was in your own car Bull?

[John_Kunkel]

I'm rather befuddled now.  John, you and Neil are each one of the best sources of reliable info anyone could consult, but you say 70-71, CP says late 60's and after your post I checked a MP engine book and it says 71. 
Which answer is right?? 

I have personally seen/worked on '70 383-2 automatics with cast cranks, externally balanced converters and balancers.

The '70-'71 factory parts manual also contains a warning (page 9-1, Note 2) to identify the type of crankshaft before ordering parts for the 383-2 engine and the GG White Book shows a '70 383-2 cast crank.

[Ghoste]

Thanks John,  I don't have a 70 parts manual but I do have Galens books here someplace.