Anybody running 440 4006452 heads on a 383?

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My 67 383 is .060 over, block has been decked, flat top pistons, .105 piston depth in the hole. Engine is at machine shop, and I'm try to pick heads for it. Had 516 small valves on it. I'm interested in RV heads for better cooling, unleaded fuel etc. Do not want to over spend, if that's possible. Looking for someone with 452 heads on their 383 and how they're set up/performed.... Shop said we'll need to go to dome pistons to help keep compression up. Looking into Lunati Voodoo cam 475/494 lift 262/268 duration w/323 gears. Thanks!

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Had them on my 383 in my race car. Are you sure your pistons are a tenth down hole?(that's a lot) I was running flat tops that came .020 out, witch is factory.
 
My 383 has 516s 2.08/1.74 valves, motor ran mid 12s in a b body.... if pistons really are that far down better stick with the closed chamber heads, spend a couple bucks in a good valve job w/ hardened seats
 
I have a set of rebuilt 452 heads, all ready to go. Never installed. $250 if interested. I'll be headed out to Ohio in mid July to "mid Ohio" fo races, I could bring them out..........Mike
 
Had them on my 383 in my race car. Are you sure your pistons are a tenth down hole?(that's a lot) I was running flat tops that came .020 out, witch is factory.
yes, shop started on it yesterday. Older rebuild from previous owner 20 plus years ago low miles overall, But was surprised on the .105
 
I think 452s would ba backing up, but what do I know?
 
I have a set of rebuilt 452 heads, all ready to go. Never installed. $250 if interested. I'll be headed out to Ohio in mid July to "mid Ohio" fo races, I could bring them out..........Mike
Thanks Mike will follow up
 
My 383 has 516s 2.08/1.74 valves, motor ran mid 12s in a b body.... if pistons really are that far down better stick with the closed chamber heads, spend a couple bucks in a good valve job w/ hardened seats
So I can just put 1.74 valves in my 516 heads and move on?
 
What do you mean backing up, going down in compression??

Just all the way around. I much prefer a closed chamber head....and you already have them. I would put big valves in the 516s, and get a zero deck height piston for that 383. Hardened seats on a street car are really not necessary, especially as light as the A bodies are.
 
Just all the way around. I much prefer a closed chamber head....and you already have them. I would put big valves in the 516s, and get a zero deck height piston for that 383. Hardened seats on a street car are really not necessary, especially as light as the A bodies are.
Roger that, sounds good.
 
Just all the way around. I much prefer a closed chamber head....and you already have them. I would put big valves in the 516s, and get a zero deck height piston for that 383. Hardened seats on a street car are really not necessary, especially as light as the A bodies are.
Thanks Rusty
 
Thanks Rusty

Sure. Opinions vary, and I am sure others will disagree with me, but my thinking is, you HAVE the 516 heads. To me, unless you have 2K to drop on aluminum heads, you'll come out less expensive using what you have. Unless you're trying to build a 600 HP 383, the 516s will work good with a few changes.
 
Had them on my 383 in my race car. Are you sure your pistons are a tenth down hole?(that's a lot) I was running flat tops that came .020 out, witch is factory.
Part # of piston ?
 
Sure. Opinions vary, and I am sure others will disagree with me, but my thinking is, you HAVE the 516 heads. To me, unless you have 2K to drop on aluminum heads, you'll come out less expensive using what you have. Unless you're trying to build a 600 HP 383, the 516s will work good with a few changes.
True, I need to spend it wisely. I want to take advantage of the 383 and get it over 6,000 rpm. Will it be OK, with this set up?
 
I'm not surprised at the 0.10" in the hole. The 440 my dad rebuilt was over 0.1" when he tore it down. KB pistons and 915's fixed it right up.
 
So I can just put 1.74 valves in my 516 heads and move on?
I would go 2.14/1.81 if I was paying to have it done, but all the stock iron heads are going to flow roughly the same in stock form, so the compression increase with your 516s over a set of 452s is going to help you a ton more over very few CFM of flow.
 
Had them on my 383 in my race car. Are you sure your pistons are a tenth down hole?(that's a lot) I was running flat tops that came .020 out, witch is factory.

67 383 was not .020 out of the hole but a 69 383 Road Runner was out of the hole.
Next.
Why would you want to put big valves in a small Port head.
The 452 are great heads use them.
 
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IMO the engine will act a low CR smogger.
I've had an openchambered 383 once (with a mild "Roadrunner/268 dur" cam in it) and it was a turd that liked to ping easily too.
 
67 383 was not .020 out of the hole but a 69 383 Road Runner was out of the hole.
Next.
Why would you want to put big valves in a small Port head.
The 452 are great heads use them.

My car was a 69 Dart
 
If you put the 452 heads on a 383 with the pistons down in the hole that far the compression ratio will be around 7.5 or so. Keep the 516s if you are keeping those pistons. 383 will run great with a stock pair of 516s, a mild cam, and pistons that come up all the way.
 
If you put the 452 heads on a 383 with the pistons down in the hole that far the compression ratio will be around 7.5 or so. Keep the 516s if you are keeping those pistons. 383 will run great with a stock pair of 516s, a mild cam, and pistons that come up all the way.

'Swat I've been tryin to tell him. With great resistance.
 
I have never seen a 383 with a positive deck piston from the factory, the closest I've seen is 68 hp and they were close to zero deck, but still slightly down in the hole.
 
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