Rebuilding Numbers Matching 383

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rklein383

rklein383

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Great day in Texas. Beautiful day to get started.

Got my block on the stand, washed it up real good and ran a tap through all the bolt holes. Ensured all machine shavings were blown out of the various orifices.

It is supposed to get cold tomorrow so I wanted to get it cleaned up today while it was 70 degrees.

Machinist had to deck the block slightly to clean it up. I had him machine it such that the original stamping was left intact.

Looking forward to assembling.
Rod
 

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Update on my build - Got the crank in, turns smooth as butter. Bearing clearance and thrust checked out perfect.

Verified all rings were gapped correctly to my Keith Black pistons. Top ring was opened up to KB specs. Rings installed on pistons. My 383-S is in the background. Not much room in my garage, but I make do.

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Great !! Looks like a lot of fun. Looks just like my build for my GTS. Keep us posted !!
 
My son's 67 notchback, in various colors is in the background of the piston picture.
 
Update: Got the slugs in the jugs as the VW guys say. Cam has been verified to be 106 degrees per cam card. Bearing clearances checked out and the rod side clearances are in spec.

Everything is looking good.
 

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Been a little slow on my rebuild. Put the engine in this last weekend. That is a whole lot of orange.

I find it interesting how the car sits a good inch and a half higher than the 440+6. The 440 had an aluminum intake and had headers. The original 383 sports original big block manifolds and cast iron intake.

I am working on the exhaust right now. I had Schumachers on the 440 and they dump slightly rearward whereas the exhaust manifolds dump more straight down. Not a big deal, just have to do a little fitment and welding.

My used dampener that I bought at the junkyard was off a good 60 degrees, so it makes a good paperweight. Bought a Summit OEM style dampener to replace it. Looks like stock and has 60 degrees engraved into it.

Hopefully will be firing it up a a next week.
Rod
 

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Been working on tying in my exhaust from the exhaust manifold to before the x-pipe. My exhaust was tied into Schumacher headers but now I have stock big block exhaust manifolds. I have the driver's side mocked up and it is fitting nicely. I might give the pipe a small ding to give a little more clearance along the torsion bar.

Tomorrow is my 27 year anniversary, so I will be enjoying dinner with my sweetie and not working on the car. I have Friday off, so I will tack in the driver's side and then work on the easier side. I am praying that I will be able to remove the exhaust completely to finish weld. I have flanges just before the mufflers but it is going to be tight in the front to drop the unit down.

Rod
 
rklein383 said:
Been a little slow on my rebuild. Put the engine in this last weekend. That is a whole lot of orange.

I find it interesting how the car sits a good inch and a half higher than the 440+6. The 440 had an aluminum intake and had headers. The original 383 sports original big block manifolds and cast iron intake.

I am working on the exhaust right now. I had Schumachers on the 440 and they dump slightly rearward whereas the exhaust manifolds dump more straight down. Not a big deal, just have to do a little fitment and welding.

My used dampener that I bought at the junkyard was off a good 60 degrees, so it makes a good paperweight. Bought a Summit OEM style dampener to replace it. Looks like stock and has 60 degrees engraved into it.

Hopefully will be firing it up a a next week.
Rod
Click to expand...

Was the balancer your alignment issue with the pulley's??

Orange is good! The orginal Chrome VC's toned it down a tad. And the unsilence air cleaner even more.
 
No, it wasn't the balancer. I ordered a new pulley and it lines up perfectly.

Yesterday, I worked on the driver's side exhaust from the stock big block exhaust manifold to my existing exhaust. I had a couple of left over pieces from when I did the exhaust a year ago or so. The driver's side is tighter than the passenger. I just have to tack it in place and do the other side.
 
Engine is looking good. Looking to break it in this weekend.
 

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Drove my newly rebuilt 383 today. When I tried to set my car for total advance, did not line up with marks on my balancer. hmmm... Set total timing by ear and took it for a spin.
Did not run great.
Started trouble shooting. Here is what I found. My free distributor from a 400 has no mechanical advance. Oops, didn't think of that. On the prowl for a distributor.

Who needs 32-34 degrees of advance anyhow?
Rod
 

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