FeedVaal

I've been doing a little dreaming about upgrading to a 383. Seen a few short blocks and kits on the web.Noticed one kit contained rods notched for cam clearance, and another short block with custom ground cam for clearance. Is this necessary on ALL 383 buildups or done on a case by case basis?

gkull

if you use big forged rods and big duration/lift. Small base circle cams are the only way to go. I would not pay big money for rods and then grind on them. The block pan rails have to be ground to clear bigger rod bolts.

FeedVaal

I gather that stock rods would not require clearancing?

gkull

I have no idea on stock rods. I have not used them in many many years. this past spring I built two stroker motors one with 3.750 stroke and the other with 3.835. the cubic inches were 383 and 393 respectivly. If I had it to do over again I would only use 3.875 stroke. That's how you make 396 c.i.

It's not that big of deal to grind out clearancing for the rod bolts on the driver side pan rail. Short rods even require grinding under the cam valley on the bottom of the bore. So you have to do a trial fit and you swing each hole with a piston on the crank and see whats goin on.

71coupe

H beam rods will give you more clearance (More than the I beams)
I had H beams with my stroker and they cleared. The block will need to be notched however.

FeedVaal

I still need to do more research, but that helps. Mucho thanks guys.

:cheers: