383...problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
383...problem
alrite boys. i bought a brand new 383 from an engine builder, anyway, it was supposed to be completly compatible with my 87 corvette. first problem, the new oil pan on the engine was rubbing the crossmember. so my mechanic put the stock one back on. next the harmonic balancer was too big. i went and got a 6 3/4 in. problem fixed. last but most likely the worst. my mechanic thought the crank was rubbing on the factory oil pan because a 383 needs more pan clearance. he took it off, yet when u turn the crank over by hand, around every turn there is a hesitation or rub where it is hard to turn over, then it becomes normal until u reach the point again. the engine is now on the stand and still has the hesitation. do any of you guys know what this problem could be? any help is needed
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Like cuisinart said, Just clearance the pan. In the front by the shallow area the rod bolts for 1/2 and 3/4 usually rub right there. Also, sometimes 5 and/or 7 rub the pan by the rail. It's almost like the factory rail has to big of a radius on it. That should fix your problems. A ball peen alignment is all you should need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Barring any problems in the bearings there are three critical clearance spots with a 383.
1. The rod hitting the side of the block right at the pan area.
2. A rod bolt, (top) hitting the bottom of a cylinder.
3. A rod bolt, (top) hitting a lobe on the cam.
All you can do is turn the engine to the tight spot then look at everything in the places I mentioned. If you can't find anything then pull the timing chain off & turn the crank, if it still hangs up then you are going to have to look at the bearings again. If it is free all the way around then try rotating the cam to see if there is a tight spot there.
This is definitely something that needs to be fixed no matter where it is.
I used special stroker rod bolts from ARP and even they needed some material ground off to clear the bottom of a cylinder or a cam lobe, I don't remember now which it was.
1. The rod hitting the side of the block right at the pan area.
2. A rod bolt, (top) hitting the bottom of a cylinder.
3. A rod bolt, (top) hitting a lobe on the cam.
All you can do is turn the engine to the tight spot then look at everything in the places I mentioned. If you can't find anything then pull the timing chain off & turn the crank, if it still hangs up then you are going to have to look at the bearings again. If it is free all the way around then try rotating the cam to see if there is a tight spot there.
This is definitely something that needs to be fixed no matter where it is.
I used special stroker rod bolts from ARP and even they needed some material ground off to clear the bottom of a cylinder or a cam lobe, I don't remember now which it was.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City OK
St. Jude '10
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 182
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From: Bowling Green Ky
I would look at everything that has been done since you brought it home. hard to believe that an engine builder would not have turned the crank over, several times, setting valves, whatever.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Southgate Mi.
After having my block line honed my crank had a tight spot. Every time it got to the same place it would bind. This was with the pistons and rods in, or out. It had .008 endplay. I had the crank checked by Moldex and the journals were perfect, and the crank was straight.
I took the crank and block to Performance Crankshaft where he found that they had left a small burr on the back of the block where the rear main bearing shell sat. He fixed the problem and it's smooth turning now. I would have never found it on my own. I hope this isn't your problem.
Good Luck!
I took the crank and block to Performance Crankshaft where he found that they had left a small burr on the back of the block where the rear main bearing shell sat. He fixed the problem and it's smooth turning now. I would have never found it on my own. I hope this isn't your problem.
Good Luck!
Last edited by Lucky7; Sep 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM. Reason: clairify
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 0
From: VALENCIA PA
alrite boys. i bought a brand new 383 from an engine builder, anyway, it was supposed to be completly compatible with my 87 corvette. first problem, the new oil pan on the engine was rubbing the crossmember. so my mechanic put the stock one back on. next the harmonic balancer was too big. i went and got a 6 3/4 in. problem fixed. last but most likely the worst. my mechanic thought the crank was rubbing on the factory oil pan because a 383 needs more pan clearance. he took it off, yet when u turn the crank over by hand, around every turn there is a hesitation or rub where it is hard to turn over, then it becomes normal until u reach the point again. the engine is now on the stand and still has the hesitation. do any of you guys know what this problem could be? any help is needed
Last edited by TRACKMAN2; Sep 19, 2011 at 08:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
thanx everyone so far for the reply. I cant believe the guys that built the engine didnt check all of that. They said they did. anyway. im sure my mechanic will find the problem. he had the timing chain bottem end everything apart this morning in search for the cause. Im just wanting to get it fixed asap. i guess its better to find this out now before installing, then a couple hundred miles down the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I'd be contacting the "builder" and let him know he will be getting a bill for your mechanic's services. You are spending your good money to find out what he has screwed up. Tell him about the forthcoming bill and make it stick!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 0
From: VALENCIA PA
life must be nice in that "no warrenty universe" why do anything right just get the customers money and run!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Could be as simple as a bearing cap not seated properly, easy mistake to make. It will seem fine but when turning it over it willl catch.
Sure he will find the problem should be somewhat obvious.
Sure he will find the problem should be somewhat obvious.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 32
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for the record guys. the engine company we got it from is tuff dawg engines based out of phoniex arizona. The guys name is Darrel. He is good at picking up and answering questions, he better be good at paying extra mechanical costs and or refunding entire engine. We got the 330 hp 383 stroker tpi kit and they supposedly put in a comp performance cam and all the good stuff but idk. we are very frustrated
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,177
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From: VALENCIA PA