How to identify a 383?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 3
From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
How to identify a 383?
A friend has bought a supposed 383 second hand and we are tearing it down slowly, but want to know if it's possible to identify the block where it's supposed to have been clearanced for the stroker crank. Scat stroker kit I believe. It has an 8" balancer and the flex plate has had weights added which I presume is a fair indication that it's externally balanced. Just thought I'd ask if there were any other obvious signs.
Thanks.
Bob
Thanks.
Bob
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Ventura CA
Re: How to identify a 383? (Brutus)
the harmonic ballancer for an externally ballanced smallblock is relieved on one half on the outer face. It's easy to spot.
Like this:
courtesy of jegs...
... ok so my pic isn't working, but you can see it here: http://www.photohost.org/gallery/dat...00balancer.jpg
[Modified by BB73Chris, 3:53 AM 11/8/2003]
Like this:
courtesy of jegs...
... ok so my pic isn't working, but you can see it here: http://www.photohost.org/gallery/dat...00balancer.jpg
[Modified by BB73Chris, 3:53 AM 11/8/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: How to identify a 383? (Brutus)
Not all 383 (3.75") cranks are ext balance, most cast are and most forged aren't, I have one for each. The 8" balancer I have has a removable weight so it can be used with either int or ext balanced cranks, I have used it for both. If you are tearing it down I believe if you measure from the main journal center line to a rod journal center line it should be 3.75" but I am not 100% certain. it might be to the outer edge of the rod journal. :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
Re: How to identify a 383? (Brutus)
Can't you find out by measuring the distance from the top of the piston ( in the down position ) to the top of the block and it should be 3.75"
That is how I thought you could tell. :chevy
That is how I thought you could tell. :chevy
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: How to identify a 383? (Phil Zell)
Can't you find out by measuring the distance from the top of the piston ( in the down position ) to the top of the block and it should be 3.75"
That is how I thought you could tell. :chevy
That is how I thought you could tell. :chevy
[Modified by Fevre, 10:02 AM 11/8/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: How to identify a 383? (Fevre)
If your checking the block for clearance work, look at the oil pan rail and see if any material has been cut away to clear the rod caps.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 3
From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Re: How to identify a 383? (bluevetteman)
Thanks Larry. I knew I could count on you. :rolleyes: :D
As to the other less silly answers....I think we have confirmation. While there are no clearance marks on the sump (sorry, oil pan) rails, I can see where the piston skirts have been ground to clear the rod journals. Measured the piston top at BDC from the top of the block and found 3.75" and last but not least the harmonic balancer is as pictured above. Gentlemen we have a 383! Thank you one and all. I appreciate everyone's help....even the Dodge(y) ones. :jester
As to the other less silly answers....I think we have confirmation. While there are no clearance marks on the sump (sorry, oil pan) rails, I can see where the piston skirts have been ground to clear the rod journals. Measured the piston top at BDC from the top of the block and found 3.75" and last but not least the harmonic balancer is as pictured above. Gentlemen we have a 383! Thank you one and all. I appreciate everyone's help....even the Dodge(y) ones. :jester
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
Re: How to identify a 383? (Brutus)
I'm supposed to have 383 in my car. I recently dropped the pan because I thought I had a major problem. The block is not clearanced along the pan rail but the rod bolt bosses were machined down for clearance. Is that a shortcut in lieu of clearancing the block? Seems like that would weaken the rod. By the way, I didn't have a major problem but I took the opportunity to install one of those Moroso oil pans with the crank scraper, windage screen and trap door baffle. Also put a Moroso pump and pickup in (standard volume). In case anyone was wondering, STEEROIDS will work with that oil pan.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: How to identify a 383? (bluevetteman)
Nastee
The rods bolts are ground to clear the cam lobes.
:confused: I don't get it.
The rods bolts are ground to clear the cam lobes.
:confused: I don't get it.
Here is a diagram of where the material needs to be removed. One trick read was to put 2 peices of masking tape on the cam lob to simulate the clearence needed.
http://www.hotrod.com/howto/69883/
[Modified by Fevre, 7:34 AM 11/9/2003]
