info needed on 383

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ozmoparjoe

ozmoparjoe

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Hi guys, i was recently lucky enough to purchase a couple of 383's for a good price, one is an early 8 bolt crank short block, the other is a later 1968 6 bolt.
The early short block was rebuilt some time ago but unfortunately left in a workshop uncovered, resulting in rust in the bores, damage was also done to the bores when pistons recently removed, (may clean up with honing), and the lube used has gone gooey making parts like pistons / rods very difficult to move.
The complete motor looks ok and i may try to start it to see how it runs.
My question is what are the differences between the early and later 383's? Apart from the 8 bolt crank and a rear main rope seal, are there any other differences?
Also, are the exhaust manifolds on the later 383 any good? (See pic).
Thanks in advance!

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You need to make SURE that 8 bolt crank 383 isn't an early RB engine. I bet it might be.
 
Heads are different- early are closed chamber and '68 and later are open chamber. Some 383's have re-located left motor mounts. Early "B" engines had four bolt v/covers.
 
The Orange colored engine has the "extended flange" type of crankshaft, that is an industrial application. It won't couple to a 727 or even a conventional style 4 speed, it's only used with "big truck" type of a transmission.
 
ozmoparjoe said:
well with my limited big block knowledge, i had a look and i do believe it is a B block, but of course i could be wrong. Here's some pics of it.

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ML383! I think that is a 383 out of a 1959 car. That block might be worth some money to someone who needs it. Might only be one guy in the world who needs a 1959 383 block but if you can find him I'm sure he'll be happy to find his block.

The 1968 engine will be worth more money to most people. That could be a RoadRunner engine with those HP manifolds.

The 1968 engine should have a casting date on the side and it might have a VIN stamp above the oil pan rail. You can also check over the '59 engine for casting numbers and dates. I'm not sure what they used back then, I don't think I've ever seen a 50's casting. Those are very rare. If that block can be saved I'm sure you'll find someone who wants/needs it.
 
Max1196 said:
The Orange colored engine has the "extended flange" type of crankshaft, that is an industrial application. It won't couple to a 727 or even a conventional style 4 speed, it's only used with "big truck" type of a transmission.
Click to expand...

I think they had a cast iron transmission in those days called the A-488.
 
Post pictures of the front top of the early 383 block. I do believe it is an RB engine.
 
If you look at the pictures closely you can see that it is a B block.
 
Thanks for everyone's input. It's definitely a B block, bore measures out to just over 4.250", (it's .030 over).
And yes it's a 59 engine that will mate together with a cast iron torqueflite. I purchased it because i'd like to build it for my 57 Plymouth, but i'm not sure if all parts interchange between the old and later 383's. For example, if i purchased new aluminium heads for it, will they bolt up? Camshafts etc all that sort of stuff that i can easily buy new for later 383, will they work in an early one? I'm pretty sure that apart from crank, rear main seal and trans locating dowels, i believe they are the same, but would like confirmation before i start throwing down money on trying to save the block.
 
Good. At least the block is worth something.
 
AndyF said:
ML383! I think that is a 383 out of a 1959 car. That block might be worth some money to someone who needs it. Might only be one guy in the world who needs a 1959 383 block but if you can find him I'm sure he'll be happy to find his block.

The 1968 engine will be worth more money to most people. That could be a RoadRunner engine with those HP manifolds.

The 1968 engine should have a casting date on the side and it might have a VIN stamp above the oil pan rail. You can also check over the '59 engine for casting numbers and dates. I'm not sure what they used back then, I don't think I've ever seen a 50's casting. Those are very rare. If that block can be saved I'm sure you'll find someone who wants/needs it.
Click to expand...
Got a few pics of casting numbers on the 68 engine, could't really get a good pic of right side numbers though......

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