I Chose the 383 Big Block

-
Mopar Fred said:
I will change the pistons and the rings , connecting rod bearings and crank bearings and also do a home hone job on the cylinders put a new rear main seal in it and clean the pick up tube. Make sure it’s clean and clean the oil pump if you do not wish to buy a new one
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it..
 
RustyRatRod said:
I have a square engine in my truck. The Ford 400. A lot of people wrongly claim they are junk, but in reality they're one of Ford's best engines. What's not to love about a square tall deck 400 cube Cleveland? It's a torque monster.
Click to expand...
What's not to love.
Gas mileage.
 
Looks like I'm gonna rebuild the 383. My research tells me it's a 1969 2 barrel engine. Gonna clean it up, freshen up the heads, ring and bearings, cam, lifters etc. Doesn't appear to need boring...
 
TommieDuster76 said:
Looks like I'm gonna rebuild the 383. My research tells me it's a 1969 2 barrel engine. Gonna clean it up, freshen up the heads, ring and bearings, cam, lifters etc. Doesn't appear to need boring...
Click to expand...
I would hone the block to clean the cylinders up and help the cross hatch. Don’t go hog wild with the hone just a good clean hone.
 
IDK what your budget is but strongly consider hot tanking the block to clear out any gunk, new freeze plugs & reuse the threaded parts. I know you asked about a cam recommendation but what are your plans for the engine (daily driver, hot street, street/strip, strip, some of each, etc.)? I think you're limiting your cam choices if you intend to simply replace the #8 piston with another stock low compression cast piece. As others have said, your 383 would benefit from increased compression. If no one has monkeyed with your heads, they should be 906s which is a plus. When you clean them up, replace the valve stem seals. What intake & carb are you thinking about or are you going to reuse the cast iron 2 bbl? Lots of choices - you may need to temper your expectations depending which direction you go. You are doing the right thing by asking & answering questions. A big block in an A-body is a beautiful thing.
 
mayhem said:
IDK what your budget is but strongly consider hot tanking the block to clear out any gunk, new freeze plugs & reuse the threaded parts. I know you asked about a cam recommendation but what are your plans for the engine (daily driver, hot street, street/strip, strip, some of each, etc.)? I think you're limiting your cam choices if you intend to simply replace the #8 piston with another stock low compression cast piece. As others have said, your 383 would benefit from increased compression. If no one has monkeyed with your heads, they should be 906s which is a plus. When you clean them up, replace the valve stem seals. What intake & carb are you thinking about or are you going to reuse the cast iron 2 bbl? Lots of choices - you may need to temper your expectations depending which direction you go. You are doing the right thing by asking & answering questions. A big block in an A-body is a beautiful thing.
Click to expand...
Hot tank is for sure, gonna stick with the stock pistons and rods, low budget here. not expecting much more than 300 HP. I have a 4 BBl manifold and will be getting new Carb. Yes, I have the 906 heads, gonna get them freshened up. New rings, bearings and gaskets and hope for the best! Thanks for your advise!
 
TommieDuster76 said:
Hot tank is for sure, gonna stick with the stock pistons and rods, low budget here. not expecting much more than 300 HP. I have a 4 BBl manifold and will be getting new Carb. Yes, I have the 906 heads, gonna get them freshened up. New rings, bearings and gaskets and hope for the best! Thanks for your advise!
Click to expand...
I have a set of eight flat top standard bore 4.250 pistons for 383 of course that I took out of my block. They are in good shape and I am willing to let you have them for free if you will just cover the shipping. I will also include the connecting rods with them. They are in good shape. There’s no stuck rings. They can be cleaned up and reused one piston has a valve dent in it but it is not bad very shallow. when I measured them for deck height, they were like 40 thousands below the deck, and my block had never been machine at all, so that was a standard height block. Let me know.
 
Mopar Fred said:
I have a set of eight flat top standard bore 4.250 pistons for 383 of course that I took out of my block. They are in good shape and I am willing to let you have them for free if you will just cover the shipping. I will also include the connecting rods with them. They are in good shape. There’s no stuck rings. They can be cleaned up and reused one piston has a valve dent in it but it is not bad very shallow. when I measured them for deck height, they were like 40 thousands below the deck, and my block had never been machine at all, so that was a standard height block. Let me know.
Click to expand...
That is very nice of you to offer this. I am looking to re-install my factory Pistons in there original bores. I will keep this in mind though. I did find one replacement piston for my bad one on Ebay. Thanks again!!!
 
TommieDuster76 said:
Hot tank is for sure, gonna stick with the stock pistons and rods, low budget here.
Click to expand...
If hot tank means the caustic type solution, the cam bearings will have to be replaced. I didn't think too many of these old caustic hot tanks were left?
 
TommieDuster76 said:
So, I ended up buying a 383 Big Block for my 76 Duster. Stamped 2468130-9. I have a 727 Transmission and a QA-1 K-Member. Any suggestions for Motor Mounts, Carburetor, Headers for this application? I'm using the stock suspension with the K-Member.
Click to expand...
I have no Engine Wire Harness for the car. Any ideas?
 
TommieDuster76 said:
I have no Engine Wire Harness for the car. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
I'd try to find a duster & year specific wiring harness, rather than a universal type harness. Do some internet searching or contact slantsixdan (User name). He sold me a new wiring harness to run halogen bulbs that was spot on, and answered numerous questions I had when installing. If he can't make you a factory style harness, he can probably refer you to a good source.
 
middleagecrisis said:
I'd try to find a duster & year specific wiring harness, rather than a universal type harness. Do some internet searching or contact slantsixdan (User name). He sold me a new wiring harness to run halogen bulbs that was spot on, and answered numerous questions I had when installing. If he can't make you a factory style harness, he can probably refer you to a good source.
Click to expand...
@slantsixdan can you please help @TommieDuster76 ?
 
Last edited:
middleagecrisis said:
I'd try to find a duster & year specific wiring harness, rather than a universal type harness. Do some internet searching or contact slantsixdan (User name). He sold me a new wiring harness to run halogen bulbs that was spot on, and answered numerous questions I had when installing. If he can't make you a factory style harness, he can probably refer you to a good source.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the lead. I'm seeing Year One has a harness, I need to research further though. I am swapping to big block too, not sure if that effects anything though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top