my 383 rebuild

[lexxman]

Hi a friend and I finally started to tear down my engine.A 383 with a carter 4bbl,I don't know allot about the inner working as far as identifying part. But we took the heads off and found that I have an engine that was bored out to .060 over with aluminum pistons. And there are purple paint mark on the cam.When I got the car 4 years ago the guy told me it had some work done(not sure if he said rebuild),but the engine hasn't ran in about 10 years I'm guessing. The lower end was rebuild and it did have the heads worked on(906 heads).We did I leak test and it wasn't good,so we took the pistons out. Cylinder walls are in good shape,so the plan is to put new bearings and rings in and redo the heads( seals are gone). But what I was wondering,what kind of power do you think it was making? And with that big of a over size how will it proform? I'm looking for a reliable engine not a race engine. This is going to be a daily driver type car.

[c00nhunterjoe]

I am a firm beleiver in the 383. To answer how much power were you making is a tough call. Assuming your pistons are near 0 deck height and @ 9:1, stock heads and a very mild cam I would put it btween 350 and 375 at the flywheel.  It depends on what intake you have, headers or manifolds, and the carb is limiting you a great deal.

The 1st thing you need to do is measure the deck height. Depending on how far below 0 the pistons sit will allow you to calculate a rough compression ratio.

Are they flat tops or do they have valve reliefs? This will greatly affect cam choices.

Are there any markings on the cam? Would be nice to find out what it is but odds are you will be best suited to get a new cam and lifter set. There are some great choices that are reasonably priced.

You said the heads need to be redone. Consider going to aluminums before you sink a fortune into rebuilding your iron heads.  You can kill 2 birds with 1 stone here. Th edlebrocks can be had for about. a grand on sale.  Doing a full workover on irons can get close to that. If you find your pistons sit low in the cylinders you can get the smaller chamber heads to pick up the compression some. I think the newest eddy heads are 76 cc compared to the stock 88.

The 60 overbore is great. No problems there. If you can sit above 9:1, put a nice ground mild cam, a good dual plane intake, 850 holley, and top it off with headers you can easily see well over 400 to 450 crank hp on stock heads. More if you go to the eddy heads.

Here are some good reads for you:

This one is an awesome write up with dynos starting from bone stock and with each bolt on mod.
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0209_383_engine_restore/viewall.html

This one should put to rest the age old story that anything over a 650 cfm is too big for a mild 383.
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/engine/mopp_1207_carburetor_dyno_test/index.html

[c00nhunterjoe]

Forgot to comment on the reliability portion. The 383 in my car is smilar to the build in the 1st link I posted. The main difference being I'm running a 750 holley and a racer brown cam with less lift due to my pistns being flat tops with no valve reliefs. That said, I drive my car EVERYWHERE without hesitation. Whether its around the block in the evening or 100 miles north to cabela's. Its a turn key and go engine, 2 pumps, no choke, fires right up and drive away. The only maintenance I've had to d since 2001 is oil changes and a valve cover gasket (cork let go). I have no idea how many miles I've put on it in the last 11years but its been A LOT.

[lexxman]

Thanks for the info .Yes they are flat top pistons,there is a number on the top L2350. The cam and lifters are in very good shape. I just got back from vacation,so I'm hoping to get some work done on it sometime soon.I still have to check the deck height,I don't think it was to the top.
But that's it I want an engine that I can start and go. I will check out those link tonight. The cam is not out yet I can't see any marks and no I didn't think about aluminum heads.I was going to stay stock till I opened the engine and saw the size of the pistons.

[ACUDANUT]

383 engines are awesome.  Keep it.

[firefighter3931]

The  L2350 is a TRW/Speedpro part number. Is there a letter after the L2350 stamping ? The Forged pistons will usually have an "F" stamping....it will look like : L2350F 

It's best to get a deckheight measurement so we can formulate a plan of attack. If the static compression ends up being low you can easily overcam the motor and turn it into a pooch. 


Ron

[lexxman]

I have another guestion. I now have the engine complete apart and I've started cleaning up the block . I'm going to be ordering parts soon,but  it have 060 over sized pistons in it and a few people have made comments about over heating could be a problem. And some of the bearings did show signs of being over heated. So is this going to be a big problem?
This was the middle of teardown.

[lexxman]

So I finally started rebuilding the engine this weekend. The short block is almost done. Just waiting for my heads.
I had my carb rebuilt, it's great to see the piles of parts come together.
I'll post pictures soon having trouble posting from my phone.

[lexxman]

Here's some pic's.

[cudaken]

 Lex, did you have the block bore measured and block sonic tested? .60 is the max a BB can be punched and that is if the water jackets in the block is spot on. Other wise it can have a overheating problem.

Cuda Ken

[lexxman]

Lex, did you have the block bore measured and block sonic tested? .60 is the max a BB can be punched and that is if the water jackets in the block is spot on. Other wise it can have a overheating problem.

Cuda Ken

Hey,My engine builder who is helping me tells me I'm good. Cause your not the first person who has told me that. So I made sure I asked questions, also I read somewhere that the older blocks (like mine) were cast thinker then later models.

Dave

[Supercharged Riot]

alright! a 383 build!
best of luck and have fun
Ill be watching this thread.
I started my 383 but never finished yet.

[lexxman]

I'm just waiting on my heads right now. I hope to start it in 3-4 weeks.