I haven't been around for a while. Had a busy work year and some other time consuming events. However, I'm back and I want to put a 383 in my '77. I have a choice to rebuild my engine block or use another block already prepared by my favorite local machine shop. The cost difference is negligible. I already have a set of RPM heads, Weiand intake, hydraulic roller cam (222/230 .509/.528), Victor series water pump, roller rockers, valve covers, coated headers, and a carb to top it off. Currently, the motor is a stock L82, i.e. four bolt mains, 2.02 intake 76 cc 882 heads. It's a nice motor, does not use oil, and has the original Quadrajet, distributor, ramhorns, sheilding, exhaust system, AIR system, valve covers, air cleaner, forged crank, original forged pistons, etc. Here's my questions: Should I use my L82 block to build the 383 and keep or sell the heads, crank, etc to offset the cost. Keep or sell the L82 as is, and use the block that the machine shop has prepared. I don't see these vehicles becoming collectors items, but I may be wrong. I'm tending toward storing the complete engine as is, but I'd hate to store the engine or parts forever for no reason. Any ideas? Is this engine worth any more than some other used 350?

I appreciate your comments. I have to leave now and won't be able to respond to any questions until tomorrow afternoon.

 

store it till you know you have no later use for it.. if your not hurtin' for the cash to build you'll get a better price later by not being in a hurry to sell, you
can just so no. you could come across a steal that needs a engine,

 

If that is the original block, heads, etc. keep them all as is... You can always get rid of it later, but never get it back... :D

 

My opinion is to place the original motor in a bunch of garbage bags, with about 5 quarts of oil. If you ever want to sell her again, the original motor will keep the price up.
Unless you can find a newbie fool (like I was) who doesn't check the casting #'s vs the VIN (all the inspection shop said was that it had an aftermarket intake, not a 1978 4 bolt truck engine), and doesn't get the 'vette inspected by a knowledgeable shop.
If price is no object, and space is available, store the engine, exhaust manifolds, and whatever else works, but will be updated or replaced. You can always ebay the stuff, and maybe get lucky and sell it for more than its worth.

 

Thanks for the reinforcement. It's inconvenient to have stuff (especially heavy stuff) sitting around the garage indefinitely, but in this case it is probably worth it. I'll build a rack above the engine to hold the parts the rest of the parts (vertical storage instead of horizontal storage).

I put the new engine combo on Dyno 2000 and it shows a peak of 383 HP at 5500 rpm's and a peak of 475 lbs of torque at 4000 rpm's. The torque curve stays above 400 lbs from below 2000 to nearly 6000. This should be fun.

 

I guess I missed the part where you gave the disadvantage of using your original block. It would be easier to store just the heads and manifolds on a shelf than a complete motor. This way you still have to original motor in the car (just with a different crankshaft). Nobody worries about a numbers matching crankshaft, do they? Joe