Stroking a 383

[70RAGTOPR/T]

Need your opinion.  Which way is better to stroke a 383.  I read in Mopar Muscle (May issue) about building a Stroker 383.  They used a crank from a 413.  Then a read in Chrysler Performance Engines by Frank Adkins that you can stroke a 383 by only changing using 440 rods and special pistons.  Which is better?  I have a 67' 383 crank. 

Thanks

[Chryco Psycho]

stroking an engine requires an increase in stroke length , so you need a different crank , , 413 , 426 & 440 cranks are ideal & to maximise potential use the longer 413-440 rods as well with a short custom piston
 a 3.75 stroke crank in a 383 block will give you approx 425 ci & reduce rotating mass by 6-7 lbs 

[70RAGTOPR/T]

Chryco.....Can the 383 crank be turned to give the same results?

[Chryco Psycho]

no , the stroke is 3.38 & there is no way to move the rod throw out to 3.75" 

[70RAGTOPR/T]

Chryco.....Thanks.  I will buy a used 440 crank from 440source.  It will cost me $175+ s/h compared to $130 to have my 383 crank machined to get the rough spots out.

Again Thanks.

[ShelbyDogg]

Why not just use a 400 block with your new 440 crank? It'll look like a 383 but give you 452 CI.   Unless you are trying to keep it numbers matching.

Rob

[70RAGTOPR/T]

Shelbydogg....I would put a 400 in but the car is matching numbers.

[ShelbyDogg]

Yeah, I figured that.  But why not just pull the 383, wrap it up, then reinstall it when it's time to sell it.  That way you don't risk hurting the original block, while out cruising around. You can't  hurt it if you're not using it. Stroking it also does things to the bores because the rods are installed in different locations other than stock and can affect your next overbore.
If you build another monster motor, you'll have it to move around to different cars.

[Robb]

Yeah, I figured that.  But why not just pull the 383, wrap it up, then reinstall it when it's time to sell it.  That way you don't risk hurting the original block, while out cruising around. You can't  hurt it if you're not using it. Stroking it also does things to the bores because the rods are installed in different locations other than stock and can affect your next overbore.
If you build another monster motor, you'll have it to move around to different cars.

completely agree.   

once that numbers block is gone, your cars value will take a huge hit,  way more than the cost of a readily available 400 or 383 block.  ounce of prevention = pound of cure.

[Killer_Mopar]

I agree with using the 400 because it looks the same and will create more horsepower. However, if you dont have a 400 block readily available, I see no reason why you cant use your numbers matching 383. If the stroker engine is built correctly then it will wear no differently then if you were to do the same thing on a 383.

[ShelbyDogg]

Stock type pistons have the piston pin position offset to one side to avoid piston slap. That is the reason for the forward pointing mark on the piston. If it was centered it wouldn't matter which way it was installed. Some of those stroker piston's pins are centered and may slap and wear the bores affecting the next overbore size. We are tallking building a 100,000 mile motor and not a week-end warrior, correct?

[67Vette427]

If you're going to go through all that go ahead and pull the matching numbers motor and get another 383 or even better the 400. I personally would have reach red line from time to time. I pulled my matching #427 and built a kick ass motor for the vette. My Cuda I never had the matching numbers motor but if I did it would have been swapped out too 

[70RAGTOPR/T]

 

Thanks all for your advise.  I have a 67' 383 block sitting around.  I'll use that one.  Now I need to go and have it cleaned and honed.

[JS27N0B]

You'll enjoy the extra cubes a 400 block would give you.