New-to-me Built 383

[blakesocia]

The other day I was browsing some FB ads and I came across a good deal that I couldn't pass up. A guy was selling a built 383 stroker and built th350 trans for $2000. I wasn't in the market for a new engine, but I figured I'd take a look anyways. I ended up buying the engine and trans for $1200. I'm not really familiar with the price of built engines and wanted to see if you guys feel I paid a good price for this. So here's basically what I got:

-383 with 400 Crank
-292/501 comp cam
-Pro Topline 205 intake runner 77cc (I think) aluminum heads port and polished w/ dual valve springs
-Brand new lifters (can't remember the brand atm)
-1.6 comp cam roller rockers
-Edelbrock Victor Jr. Intake
-Holley 750cfm double pumper carb, 4150 I think
-Flamethrower Distributer w/ wires and ignition coil
-Built TH350 with Corvette shift kit and a 2800 stall

I also got a few other parts he didn't want, like an extra Edelbrock carb 4105, etc. I think I got a pretty decent deal for this. The guy said he thinks it makes between 375-425HP. What do you guys think?

[Captainfab]

First off, there is no such thing as a 383 block aside from the GM 383 crate engines. If that was the case, it would not have a 400 crank. It should be a 350 block. Using a 400 crank is the old school way of building a 383. Now days you can buy a new aftermarket crank for not much more than what the machine work costs on a 400 crank.

The HE292 cam is considered not streetable in a 350 by most people. It will be a little tamer in a 383, but you may or may not like it on the street.

The intake and carb are again considered not streetable by most, but they are appropriate for the engine.

The 2800 converter should be enough, but only driving it will tell for sure.

Has this engine been ran and broke it yet?

$1200 is a good deal for this combo as long as it is in usable condition without putting a bunch more money into it.

[blakesocia]

Yea, sorry I meant a 350 with a 400 crank, not 383 block.
And yes, it'd been broken in a bit. Everything has about 5000 miles on it. Everything is in very good shape and useable.

[blakesocia]

It's been a few months but I've been working on getting this motor ready to drop in. Pics of the progress.

[Marv D]

Curious to know if you checked how this was built?
You can do a 383 with stock short 5.565" 400 rods and stock 350 pistons and a stock GM crank turned to 350 mains. (very poor boy way but it IS a 383)

Or a stock 400 crank with mains turned and normal 5.7 rods and a 383 piston with the correct 1.425 CH

Both are usually external balance.

A 3.75" stroke crank intended for 383 / 350 mains can be external or internal balance.

Reason I ask,, the pic isn't that clear but it appears a full 8" damper without the scalloped cut for external balance.

[Captainfab]

With flat top pistons and 64cc combustion chambers, this engine may not run on pump gas even with that long duration cam. If you are reusing the lifters the cam was broke in with, I hope you put them back on the exact same lobes they came from. If not you will wipe out the cam and consequently the engine will need a compete rebuild again.

[blakesocia]

Originally Posted by Marv D

Curious to know if you checked how this was built?
You can do a 383 with stock short 5.565" 400 rods and stock 350 pistons and a stock GM crank turned to 350 mains. (very poor boy way but it IS a 383)

Or a stock 400 crank with mains turned and normal 5.7 rods and a 383 piston with the correct 1.425 CH

Both are usually external balance.

A 3.75" stroke crank intended for 383 / 350 mains can be external or internal balance.

Reason I ask,, the pic isn't that clear but it appears a full 8" damper without the scalloped cut for external balance.

When I bought it, I was told it had a 400 crank. The bottom end was already completed so I haven't verified it myself. Sorry for the pictures. I'm not sure why they came out sideways.

[blakesocia]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

With flat top pistons and 64cc combustion chambers, this engine may not run on pump gas even with that long duration cam. If you are reusing the lifters the cam was broke in with, I hope you put them back on the exact same lobes they came from. If not you will wipe out the cam and consequently the engine will need a compete rebuild again.

The guy had Uninstalled the rocker, pushrods, and lifters already when I got it. That being said, when I was cleaning everything up to reinstall, there was no way for me to tell the order the lifters had been installed before. I may have to backtrack and double check. Or order new lifters I suppose.

[blakesocia]

But this would have to be internally balanced I guess, so it should be a 3.75 crank.

[PGSigns]

I would swap in a new cam and lifters. Putting a new set of lifters on a used cam is not much better than putting the lifters back in random holes. You need to verify what was done in the bottom end and that may mean pulling it apart and having the balance checked by a machine shop. If you just make an assumption that it is good it may be a short lived engine. This kind of stuff is what you have to deal with on used engines that are not up and running. Just never know.
Jimmy

[MySons68C20]

X 2

[blakesocia]

I'm going to break it down today and investigate. After doing alittle more research and from yalls comments, at the very least I'm going to replace the lifters. This is the first motor I'm putting together myself, so I'm learning as I go. Thanks for all the advice guys!