decking a 383 block

Well the above statement is true, but it doesn't fully cover the subject exactly. You can deck a block and I have decked dozens of blocks to get the compression up. It's all about removal of volume to gain compression. Decking the block .060" removes a lot of CC's compared to deck a head .060". You can use the free compression calculator at Summit Racing to play around with the number to see the changes you can gain. Just remember you need to make sure the head bolts don't bottom out, and if they do you can buy hardened head bolt washers from ARP and you'll need shorter pushrods. I usually deck the block .100" and use the ARP washers when I do one.

You do not have to mill the intake and lowering the deck raises the intake up on the head surface (very good thing) allowing for the roof of the intake port to be high ported and matched.


Tom