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Not 100% accurate, but the first thing I'd check would be the harmonic balancer. 383's for the most part are externally balanced and would require a larger, sometimes with weights around them, harmonic balancer around 8". 350's usually are internally balanced and have smaller (diam) or thinner balancers. If the builder in question used a factory balancer and it's a 383 the balancer would be 8" in diameter and have like a half moon cut-away on it. It's still tuff to determine without some type of cylinder volume device like they use at racing events(pump the motor) or actually taking it apart. The balancer method also depends on if the builder externally or internally balanced the engine( the latter requiring much more work) or even if they used the right damper! Then you may not wanna be to involved with the engine anyway. Good Luck!
Go to one of your local circle tracks and ask if one of the tech inspectors has a volume meter for checking cubic inches. Then it's just remove a spark plug and they can tell you within something like .2 cubic inches of what you really have.
damper size has nothing to do with it. All L-82 350 ci had the big 8 inch dampers.
For the record 8" 400 balancers ,which would be used on a 383,and 8" 350 balancers do not look the same or better said are not the same part, at least not to the trained eye. I agree, the volume meter is defitnitly the most accurate way without tearing the engine apart, but I wasn't aware that you had access to one. I'm also assuming, which I should n't do, that your looking into a typical stroker motor perhaps 383-377. I can only go by what I know. Good Luck.
Well here it goes I have a 71 vette I was told that the engine is 383 stroker,
But the rear wheel hp is a little low 202, dynoed but not for a std 350 with small cam.
So is it a 350 or 383, it runs good but if its a 383 something is wrong. I going check compression, leak down test, but for a 350 its fine I just get 400 block and rebuild it up. If its a 383 I like to build it up something is wrong if it is.
I was told it was a 383 with eagle forged crank,H beam rods, JE pistons, Comp cam, roller rockers 1.6, Dart Iron eagle heads 215. Now I know that the heads are Darts 215 they say so, I had the valve covers off and there is comp roller rockers and their 1.6, but thats all I checked