have I been stroked?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 489
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From: Vancouver BC
have I been stroked?
Just looking for some information here and please don't ask me any tech questions as I am not a mechanic 
I have a 1968 with the original L79 engine and have discovered (was told) that I have a 383 due to the presence of an external balancer?? - does this mean the engine has previously been stroked out or could it have just been put on for some other reason?? Cheers!
I have a 1968 with the original L79 engine and have discovered (was told) that I have a 383 due to the presence of an external balancer?? - does this mean the engine has previously been stroked out or could it have just been put on for some other reason?? Cheers!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Sacramento California
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Your information source is completely ignorant.
If your balancer was "externally balanced" ie it had weights on it, it "may" indicate a non factory motor....but has nothing to do with identifying the actual displacement.
Pics are worth a lot here. Btw
If your balancer was "externally balanced" ie it had weights on it, it "may" indicate a non factory motor....but has nothing to do with identifying the actual displacement.
Pics are worth a lot here. Btw
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 489
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From: Vancouver BC
Probably not much help but the best I can at this time, the car has been in the shop for the past month.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Sacramento California
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Valve cover pcv indicates it is not a 327. But could be anything. Curious ignition shield support at the rear.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 489
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From: Vancouver BC
Scraped off the paint and took this pic before I purchased the car a couple of years ago to make sure it was matching numbers with the HT designation. The incorrect hoses and shielding etc have since been sorted out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Sacramento California
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It also appears to have an AC bracket or smog pump bracket.
Pulling a head and/or oil pan is the only way to be sure what's been done internally. And even then, you may not know for sure.
Pulling a head and/or oil pan is the only way to be sure what's been done internally. And even then, you may not know for sure.
Last edited by DucatiDon; Oct 28, 2014 at 11:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 489
Likes: 199
From: Vancouver BC
True enough, the bracket will be a smog pump, the car is from Oregon and has no AC
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Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 29, 2014 at 06:53 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Oxford Ohio
Not very scientific but you may try this. Remove a spark plug, get a fairly good sized wire tie and insert the wire tie into the plug hole. Turn the engine over and feed the wire tie with very little presure into the cylinder until the piston reaches the bottom of the stroke. Mark the wire tie at the point it touches the plug hole.
Now without making the wire tie bend from pressure of you holding it, turn the crank over until the wire tie stops coming out the plug hole and mark the point where the tie touches the edge of the plug hole. Then measure the distance between the two marks.
Often this number will be about the stroke of that engine, as long as you let the tie move freely.
It won't tell you displacement, but may give you an idea of the stroke. If the number is around 3.750 and your casting number indicates a 4 inch bore engine you probably have a 383.
Like I said, not very scientific but as close as assuming the last guy didn't install an incorrect front weight.
Also check the flex plate or flywheel to see if it too is externally balanced.
Now without making the wire tie bend from pressure of you holding it, turn the crank over until the wire tie stops coming out the plug hole and mark the point where the tie touches the edge of the plug hole. Then measure the distance between the two marks.
Often this number will be about the stroke of that engine, as long as you let the tie move freely.
It won't tell you displacement, but may give you an idea of the stroke. If the number is around 3.750 and your casting number indicates a 4 inch bore engine you probably have a 383.
Like I said, not very scientific but as close as assuming the last guy didn't install an incorrect front weight.
Also check the flex plate or flywheel to see if it too is externally balanced.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Bridgewater nj
A 327 is externally balanced, so I would say no, it's not a stroked 383. A possible test would be to take a spark plug out and use a chop stick or a straw. Have someone turn the engine. If you get 3 inches of movement it's a 327. 3.75 inches it's a 383 .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Butler Pa
A 327 is internally balanced and has a 3.25" stroke. A 302 has a 3.00" stroke. The only externally balanced engines were 400's. It could be a 400, or a 383 with a 327 or 350 block and 400 crank.
Le Mans Master
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Sacramento California
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"externally balanced" is different from "external balancer" I believe the OP said he was told it had an "external balancer". ALL SBCs and BBCs have an external balancer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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What you mean is all engines have a harmonic balancer with some having all engine balance on the counter weighting inside the crank case and some with part of the balance taken care of outside of the cylinder case.
Without that harmonic turner thingy on the end of the crankshaft all engines bearings are toast without it. Then it just comes down to how you want to do overall balance of the engine.
That thingy on the end of the crankshaft can have nothing to do with any balance on the engine and in most cases thats what they did except for the junk 400. Its only there for a purpose of balancing out harmonics in the crankshaft.
Without that harmonic turner thingy on the end of the crankshaft all engines bearings are toast without it. Then it just comes down to how you want to do overall balance of the engine.
That thingy on the end of the crankshaft can have nothing to do with any balance on the engine and in most cases thats what they did except for the junk 400. Its only there for a purpose of balancing out harmonics in the crankshaft.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Oct 30, 2014 at 10:19 AM.