Yes, probably a 440 or 400 cast crank damper. Sometimes it will say on it. The shape varied over the years so sometimes you can narrow down the original application if you have a few to compare it to.
OK, here is what's confusing, the block has casting numbers of a 71' 383, Was there ever an externally balanced 383?
Searching the forums here and found this photo in which it talks about 383-400-440 cast crank motors, which this motor has a cast crank. crank motors
Yes a 1971 383 automatic could have came with a cast crank and be externally balanced. I've owned one. On another note later 400's with a standard trans came with a steel crank and be internally ballanced. Same thing, I have one!
Thanks Max! This was a motor out of a C-body with an automatic trans, when I had the trans rebuilt, the shop sent me a neutral balanced converter, I sent it back for a weighted converter, this was about 3 years ago. Anyway I've been having issues with the trans slipping in drive now and I'm going to have replace it soon and had wondered if this maybe could have been an issue, but it's had over 3000 miles put on it, so likely it was some other issue as it's never had any vibration issues up front.
Looks like you took some nice pictures of the engine on the stand. Did you happen to snap a picture of the crankshaft? If so you can go back and look at it to confirm if it is a cast crank or a steel crank. Seems like you have one of the first cast crank 383 engines but you might have the proof on your hard drive.
Andy, I went through all my photos looking just for that, but none of the trans end of the crank were taken.
I think he meant a pic with the pan off. I’ve seen some early external dampers have “440/400 cast crank” cast right into them.
