Posted By: AlexP
To rebuild on a budget or not: What to do with my 383 ? - 10/16/10 12:45 AM
Just tore my 383 down to get the springs swapped out on the 915's. Found out my piston on this 69 HP 383 is .080 in the hole. (No surprise there)
My 915's are in amazing shape. Already had hardened seats installed and minor clean up. Stout heads for sure, and they haven't been cut.
The block is pretty worn, but has been running great with minimal blow by for the years that I've had it. The bore is pretty worn up to the top ring area and the ridge is significant.
My buddy who has been building cylinder heads and engines for 30 years suggests a KB 400 @ .030 over and button it up with fresh rod bolts and bearings. I could get it built at WD pricing....so no complaints.
The heads will get cleaned up and reinstalled with good springs.
So, do I pop my new cam/lifters in with the fresh heads and let it keep ticking away or do I freshen it up and build a real 10:1 383 with a little piece of mind. I've got a whole other machined 440 block minus rods and pistons but I'm not ready to start a motor from scratch.
I'm worried about the 383 letting loose and destroying the heads if I don't fix it now.
I don't want a ton of power out of it. A properly built 383 would do me well for many years. On the other hand, I don't drive it much any more due to work/school/life. Should I button it up and just let it be until I can built a more stout engine later ?
I've never seen a 383 let go even with the loose bores and everything else. I know they're stout. Should I be worried about a worn out 383 letting go on the street ?
My 915's are in amazing shape. Already had hardened seats installed and minor clean up. Stout heads for sure, and they haven't been cut.
The block is pretty worn, but has been running great with minimal blow by for the years that I've had it. The bore is pretty worn up to the top ring area and the ridge is significant.
My buddy who has been building cylinder heads and engines for 30 years suggests a KB 400 @ .030 over and button it up with fresh rod bolts and bearings. I could get it built at WD pricing....so no complaints.
The heads will get cleaned up and reinstalled with good springs.
So, do I pop my new cam/lifters in with the fresh heads and let it keep ticking away or do I freshen it up and build a real 10:1 383 with a little piece of mind. I've got a whole other machined 440 block minus rods and pistons but I'm not ready to start a motor from scratch.
I'm worried about the 383 letting loose and destroying the heads if I don't fix it now.
I don't want a ton of power out of it. A properly built 383 would do me well for many years. On the other hand, I don't drive it much any more due to work/school/life. Should I button it up and just let it be until I can built a more stout engine later ?
I've never seen a 383 let go even with the loose bores and everything else. I know they're stout. Should I be worried about a worn out 383 letting go on the street ?