Stroke a 383 or just build a mild 440?

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ragtopfury

ragtopfury

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I know that ultimately it's my car and I'll do what I want to it, BUT....... for grins and giggles looking about 3 years down the road - at least I hope to be ready to build the motor by then...... I'm entertaining thoughts and ideas in my choice of big block, simply because I just picked up a 68 300 that I'll be parting out later this Spring.

Prior to not being able to resist the 300 this past weekend, I had previously picked up trashed 440 block that I salvaged the crank and rods out of. I had also picked up a complete early 60's 383. My initial plan was to cut and clearance the 440 crank to fit the 383 block and basically end up with a mild 440 in a low deck package..... better hood clearance and inner fender clearances.

But now I have this complete untouched 70k mile 440 at my disposal......

The car is a 68 Barracuda convertible. Already have the 3.55 limited slip 8-3/4 rear, 727 trans. Power steering car. Making my own frame connectors. I like more of a factory look, so hp manifolds from a 69 C body I hope to use. Undecided on a 6 pack investment, or an original looking 2-4 set up (debated that part in another thread a few months ago). The car was originally a 318 car and will be a weekend cruiser with the occasional romp.

Do I stroke the 383 as originally planned?
Do I spend the same money and build the 440 in stead?
Save the 440 for my 69 Fury ragtop, swapping the 318 sixpack out after the B'cuda is done, and drop the hot little 318 six pack in place of the original 318 in my Shelby Dakota?

Thoughts for conversation purposes?
 
I did the 440 crank in the 383 you get a 426. Mine make 525 hp and 552 tq great little motor revs like hell to 6000. Fits great as well.

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440 is simple and easy and probably less expensive than a stroked 383. For what it's worth we've built mild 440 A-bodies and a mile 383 A-body. We've also a slightly warmed 383 A-body. Only the mild 383 had an auto, the others had a four speed. All have been fun to drive...
 
For an A body, my vote is for the 383 IF it's a B block 383. Check to make sure it's not the RB oddball 383. I picked up a 400 B block recently to build as a stroker. Then I can lie and say it's "Just a 383" :rolleyes:
 
When running the 383/400/440 with the same crank they will be within 20 cid from each other. They say 440 decks are too tall for anything under 500 cid. So 383 and 400 are prefect candidates for 440 crank. By time you over bore a 383 with a 440 crank your less than 10 difference and be lighter internally and externally and slightly smaller.

With all the 383 blocks and 440 cranks out there can't believe this ain't a more popular combo.
 
Well all of the above pretty much sums up what I was originally planning to do.... stroke the 383, and I too will be able to say it's just a little 383 .........
Appreciate the thoughts, gents.
 
Really it's a 6 in one hand, half dozen in the other. Flip a coin.
 
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