Where to get a 383 locally...(PIC)

[Alacran]

Where to get a 383 locally...(PIC)...found one...

...we are looking for a 383 4-bolt main, single piece rear seal, and flat top pistons.

Is there any hook up locally? Besides, Jegs and Summit.

We have SB 350 bored 0.060" over and the #1 main bearing look bad. Two of the three cam bolts were loose. We run a high volume oil pump but we have not ruled anything out as to what caused it.

Found a short block in the Midwest. Bowtie sportman block, 4340 crank, king HP bearings, one piece rear main seal, 4-bolt main, and flat top piston.

Click to read more...

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

was there a blower belt drive on the front of that?

last time i saw anything like that was a guy who thought a blower belt couldnt be too tight

 

[Alacran]

was there a blower belt drive on the front of that?

last time i saw anything like that was a guy who thought a blower belt couldnt be too tight

No its running NA with two serpentine belts.

is it possible the loose came gear caused it?

Also, the upper shell looks worse than the bottom shell.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

if the serps are auto tensioners, i would put it towards the cam gear being loose.

without the bolts tight is there axial play? with the cam gear loose there is a chance of chain whip causing the crank to deflect, though it could be realated to an oil flow issue...what did the gauge indicate?

 

[Smokinhot]

There was a guy on Craigslist from Rockford that had one for the longest.. Was asking $600 and it only had 1200 miles on it.. wish i had the money at the time

 

[Alacran]

if the serps are auto tensioners, i would put it towards the cam gear being loose.

without the bolts tight is there axial play? with the cam gear loose there is a chance of chain whip causing the crank to deflect, though it could be realated to an oil flow issue...what did the gauge indicate?

I was thinking chain whip too. Oil pressure was fine when it was running. It never dropped to zero.

$600 is a steal!

 

[Smokinhot]

yeah, i wish i had the money thenm hope things work out for you. I've been thinking of getting a 383 crate motor form Summit Racing or going w/an LS1 conversion

 

[Alacran]

Just tore it down yesterday. All of the mains are showing copper. Looks like the hi volume oil pump and the stock oil pan size setup did this one in.

Now what kind of 383 should we get? Definitely 4-bolt and one piece seal but what is the biggest difference between 5.7" and 6.0" rod?

 

[Eagle]

Torque.

Make sure that you properly clearance the pickup on the next oil pan!

 

[Alacran]

the pick up had plenty of clearance but i did notice some good size dents. We will look at that next.

Oil pressure was good but the oil pressure sensor is on the rear of the valley (typical location) so we dont know if the bottom was getting 0 psi.

 

[Eagle]

Dents in what?

 

[Alacran]

the sheet metal cover on the oil pump pick up.

 

[Alacran]

this whole engine is weird. It had roller lifters and several had broken bodies at the roller pin.

 

[Eagle]

Indeed that is odd. What the hell would have dented the oil pickup?

And how do you break the body @ the roller pin without seizing the lifter in its bore first? Crazy over heat?

 

[Alacran]

Indeed that is odd. What the hell would have dented the oil pickup?

And how do you break the body @ the roller pin without seizing the lifter in its bore first? Crazy over heat?

I was not there when the engine was built. #1 exhaust lifter would not come out of the lifter bore. It is scuffed up but the body is not broken.

I am guessing whoever machined the block did not do a good job with the lifter bores but right now i cant rule anything or anyone out. for all i know it is probably machined for OEM lifters.

The best thing to do is to start fresh with a new block.

 

[Alacran]

found a shop in Bartlett that builds 383 short blocks with 6" rods.

 

[utryd2]

you could contact straightline performance(New Lennox). They have a very good builder.

 

[Eagle]

6" rods or GO HOME

 

[Alacran]

6" rods or GO HOME

I got it...you know they used to build these with 5.56" rods...

 

[Eagle]

I know they did... but they didn't make as much torque.

 

[Alacran]

It has been a while since i posted in this thread. So, quick recap. Car is still on jack stands...ordered engine and parts last week...Bowtie block, 6" rod, flat top pistons, and painted silver.

So far we got the oil pan, oil pump, hardware, and gaskets. Still waiting for the short block to arrive and selecting a cam.

We decided to ditch the block because something was not right with it. main bearings were shot but rod bearing were ok. I will post more pictures soon.

Nick

P.S. the short block is being built with King bearings and four bolt mains.

 

[Eagle]

Nice! Congrats!

 

[Wessel]

call Rock 'n Roll automotive in Carpentersville and talk to Rick or Jim. Tell them Bob told u to call. Ricks crazy as hell but him and his kids build some kick ass motors!

 

[Alacran]

call Rock 'n Roll automotive in Carpentersville and talk to Rick or Jim. Tell them Bob told u to call. Ricks crazy as hell but him and his kids build some kick ass motors!

Really? I will keep that in mind.

Oh, I just got off the phone with our current engine builder he is getting us King HP bearings to go with the 4340 crank. Sweet.

 

[Alacran]

Any recommendations on a timing chain?