Quote:

round two ... ding-ding

1970 -
1 - The 383-2bbl and Carter 383-4bbl engines share the same cam & valve springs.
2 - The Holley 383-4bbl & the 440HP 4bbl engines share the same cam, valve springs w/damper, & windage tray.

as I see it -
The orange 383 engines were for the "muscle-cars" in Plymouth "pony car" speak - the "'Cudas", for plenty of show -n- go!
----- ( you won't find any blue-383s as original equiptment in one! )

The blue 383 engines were for the "personal luxury cars" in Plymouth "pony car" speak - the "Gran Coupe", plenty of torque for the added weight of A/C and other options. 2bbl or 4bbl? How do you like to roll? The b'cast above (thanks Nigel) shows a BP with a 4-spd w/HOLLEY & orange "HP" engine.
----- ( who has a b'cast for a BP with N/auto, A/C & 3.55s? any HOLLEYs on there? )
----- ( who has a b'cast for a BP with N/auto & 3.91s? I bet we have HOLLEYs on there! )

That leaves the Barracuda with a 383 - any way you want it.
----- ( who has a b'cast for a BH with N/auto, A/C & 3.55s? any HOLLEYs on there? )
----- ( who has a b'cast for a BH with N/auto & 3.91s? I bet we have HOLLEYs on there! )


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I took a closer look at the FSM, yes, the 2bbl and 4bbl 383 B and J (E bodies) did share a cam. You are correct here. The 383 4bbl for Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler also had a separate cam, the 440HP cam's same part#. Bingo.

I also see 383 2bbl/4bbl springs are part#2658471 and 383 4bbl springs directly underneath are part#2658204. These must be the correct springs for 383HP. The 440HP springs are then carried over to all 1971 300hp 383's too. BTW - All 1971 383 4bbl are HP, SO THERE IS NO CONFUSION. Confusion exists in 1968-70 383 4BBLS & the A/C cars adds to it.

I see no mention of springs w/dampers in FSM for 440HP. I knew that street hemi springs had dampers. I'm 99.999% sure my engine has valve dampers in the springs. I'll inspect closer.

The windage tray was welded to the oil pan...yes? Unlike the modern Mopar trays that are separate items and sandwich between oil pan and block. Factory tray does not have its own part number. I can't find a windage tray anywhere in oil section, only an oil scraper for front of crank for all 340, 383, 440, & 426. The 383 has different pan then the 440 and hemi that share a pan. So the oil pan & windage tray would be found on all 383HP/335hp engines.

There is one Holley carb for 383 4bbl and H51 a/c: the R4369A - FSM REF#45. Its for a 383 w/727, w/A/C, and w/o ECS. This should be one of two or three correct carbs for a 335hp 'Cuda that was ordered with A/C. What you are saying is that it would not be blue, even when ordered with A/C because of the Holley carb. I think I can agree there too. A/C may not have dictated engine color, but may have dictated hp ratings.

There is no 4bbl Carter carb listed at all for a 383 and 3 or 4 spd, either w/A/C or w/o A/C. It seems only Holley supplied all carbs for all manual transmissions...So any BH/JH or BP and manual would be a 383HP by virtue of its Holley carb. Maybe, lets see a BCS or two surface to clear it up.

Is it the 3 digit engine code (087)of the BP 4 speed B-sheet that also convinces you it is an HP - forget the Holley carb code for a moment for arguements sake.

It seems the VIN line 4 code for 'Cuda engine would be 087 or other (088/089?) for 383HP and 086 or other (084/085?) for 330hp. If we can hear from you again on this oh great one, will be much abliged.

What still strikes me as odd and over looked.

The factory states N = 383HP and L = 383.

Mopars 70 FSM and 70-71 parts catalog never, repeat, never states L = 383 2bbl, never states that L = 383 330hp...just that L = 383. Period.

Remember guys that T = 440 and U = 440HP and V = 440 SxPK. There is a VIN distinction of either a T or a U for 440 and 440HP, then why not a VIN distinction for 383 and 383HP too?

So why does everyone seem to not see like I can that L = 383(2&4bbl/330hp) and N = 383HP 335hp.

6bblgt said that the internals are different and makes too confusing when ordering parts, but if the 2 and 4 bbl 330hp share the same cam/springs there is little confusion. Cast vs forged crank, there is a maltese cross on 2bbl's block to aid mechanics. All the parts counter person needs to know for pistons is: (1) is it a 2 or 4 bbl 383, easy enough, just pop the hood if owner or parts counter person is in doubt. Its more confusing to go in and say you have a 383 4bbl and need a cam and they say "which do you have a 330hp or a 335hp. Easy enough if you could simply go to the the 5th digit in car's VIN and end any confusion as N may stand exclusively for 383HP. You'd quickly get the right cam installed. Think about it.

You supplied a list earlier, a list of carbs and engine colors. Were did you get this list if you don't mind.

This list seems to dictate Holleys and orange paint verify HP383's and nothing else, no VIN distinction as the 3 different 440's (T, U, & V), so its very important to know. Customers weren't told or didn't know there was a broadcast sheet tucked under front seat, rear seat, or dash pad, or under front carpet, this was for assembly line workers not average car owner to produce to verify codes, some or most cars didn't even come with a b-sheet and some even had the wrong one. You need the VIN for help as it is readily visible and the fender tag has most options ordered on car for service replacement parts to be correct. GG said he started out reading fender tags for paint, not b-sheets! B-sheets only came about years later after cars were restored and seats and dash pads removed, years after.

I wonder now why Holley would get exclusive rights to all HP motors in any combo with A/C, ECS, shaker, etc. and even all w/out said featurs. For every Carter carb and combo, there was a Holley to match it, HP motors would never even need a Carter unless the factory ran out or supplies from Holley were delayed, etc. (leaking fuel bowls) only then would a Carter carb make it onto a 'Cuda or R/T, an engine still painted orange though. Lol!

What was wrong with Carters carbs that they may have been excluded from all the HP 383's, which is either cold hard facts or our best educated guess and opinion.

Guys, you are the best. Surround your self with the best and you'll go where you want to be.