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Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: VITC_GTX] #2732547
01/12/20 08:00 PM
01/12/20 08:00 PM
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Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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You have a PM from me on this subject scope


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: Cab_Burge] #2732566
01/12/20 08:26 PM
01/12/20 08:26 PM
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Posts: 4,915
Tri-Cities, Washington
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VITC_GTX Offline OP
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Thanks for the information guys.

I'm not really going for a budget build, it's not the money, it's just that I don't need much for a daily driver and I prefer the stock look. All to often when you ask for a build folks say "stroke it!", "aluminum heads", "square and deck the block", etc and that's just more than I need. I know that 383's have limited piston choices so if I could find a good piston/cam combo to use with the stock heads I should be good. Sounds like the 2315's are probably the way to go.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: VITC_GTX] #2732639
01/13/20 04:49 AM
01/13/20 04:49 AM
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Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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For what you listed, drivability and reliability sound pretty important.
I would highly recommend one of the new self tuning EFI systems that controls ignition timing, and a in-take fuel pump.
The EFI makes intake selection less critical. Single plane or dual plane will work. Since your looking at near stock power, the stock intake could work, but it is heavy and you will want to block the exhaust heat crossover.
Replacement heads like 440 Source Stealth or Edelbrock E-Street are a good value when compared to the cost of totally rebuilding the original heads.
Again they are lighter, and have no exhaust heat crossover, keeping the intake cooler. The Sniper and FiTech EFI have the electronics in the throttle bodies, and you don't want a bunch of heat getting to the electronics in the throttle bodies.
If you stay with stock iron heads, You can have them rebuilt with the larger valves and hardened seats. have the machine shop open the bowls below the valve seats.
Pistons, likely KB Flat tops. I haven't looked in awhile to see what is avaliable in a long time.
ARP Rod bolts and re-sized / checked connecting rods
Crank grind/polish as needed, balanced rotating assembly, and bearings to match the crank undersize if any?
The springs on the aftermarket heads are good for a mild hydraulic cam and stock rocker arms.
If using the stock heads, you will need new springs for any performance cam.
Cam, likely something around 220 degrees at 0.050"
The Hughes HE2024BL cam 224/224 @ 0.050" duration, 0.503"/0.518" lift would be a decent choice.
Degree in the camshaft per spec.
I would measure for correct pushrod length, and use a stronger than stock pushrods, but the stock pushrods will likely work, but no way of telling what the lifter pre-load will be without checking it first,
Fel-Pro KS2110 Gasket kit has just about all the gaskets except the valley tray.
The Viton rear main seal seems to seal better for me, but that adds about $25.
Oiling system can be pretty stock. A larger Hemi style oil pan with matching pickup will add oil capacity
The Jegs Windage tray / oil pan gasket is a nice addition too.
Likely should replace the crank damper if it is the stock 50 year old one.
If going EFI, you may need a fuel pump block off plate if the kit does not have one?
Stock cooling with 180-degree thermostat should be fine if the radiator is in decent condition
Stock Alternator should be upgraded, even stock (no EFI) the headlights go dim at idle.
Headers would be a performance improvement, but exhaust manifolds will likely be less hassle. Dual 2-1/4" or 2-1/2" exhaust is fine.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: 451Mopar] #2732651
01/13/20 09:15 AM
01/13/20 09:15 AM
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something to think about if this is a numbers matching block is decking. decking will remove the build date and other numbers. the 383 I worked on was numbers matching and I wanted to clean the deck up but that would have removed those numbers. fortunately it didn't come to that, and fortunately those 8519 gaskets are somewhat forgiving. the original heads to this engine were really screwed up. bad valves, sunken seats, old springs; definitely some money to repair. I had a decent set of heads off a running engine and gave him and it worked well. I was concerned about a non-quench little over 9:1 engine but it seems to work fine on pump gas. the 2315 pistons are a simple choice that worked out well. the summit 6400 cam was basically an economics choice and is close to a stock cam but with a tighter LSA; good low and mid-range power. i'm sure there are other profiles out there that would work fine too. I hadn't worked on a single point distributor in decades but basically cleaned it up, new points/condenser, put a short/heavy limiter spring in it with a little lighter primary spring. set it up for 20 degrees in the distributor and 15 on the crank. runs flawlessly. there wasn't any money for plug wires so I dug out an old set of taylor solid core wires I made for one of my 440s a couple of decades, stuck'em on, no issues. the carb was original to the car and was just plain awful. I thought serious about throwing it away but because it had the original tag and date codes I spent a bunch of hours on it. as long as the shafts aren't wore out they're fixable. long story short, it starts and runs better than new and there ain't no way on the planet i'd throw away $1000-$1500 on some jive ass '80's technology fuel injection for a driver. neither would I blow $1000-$2000 on alum cylinder heads for a cruiser. he!!, you could do the engine for that wasted money!!!!!!!!!! there's one thing all these car websites are good for;...blowing somebody else's money. again, keep it simple and go another 93k.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: lewtot184] #2732653
01/13/20 09:22 AM
01/13/20 09:22 AM
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Michigan
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Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: A727Tflite] #2732664
01/13/20 10:46 AM
01/13/20 10:46 AM
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Posts: 14,478
So. Burlington, Vt.
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A counterpoint to Lews argument for not spending money on things like EFI or new heads is.......

It is afterall a “hobby”..... and some people just want that stuff.

I know for me, points ignition in something thats going to supposedly be used as not just a driver..... but almost a daily driver...... I’d be looking to make it as maintenance/hassle free as possible....... so, no points for me thanks.

I like the idea of some modern upgrades.

Necessary? Nope.
Just depends on what you’re looking for.

One of my friends has a 71 Charger R/T.
It was an auto car, and last year he spent a big pile of $$$ on it converting it over to a 6 speed manual.
Wasn’t at all necessary........ but that’s what he wanted.


68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: Mebsuta] #2732858
01/14/20 01:04 AM
01/14/20 01:04 AM
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The Pale Blue Dot
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Originally Posted by Mebsuta
Kind of remarkable how these are worn out at 93k, and at 100k now on something like a Honda you change the spark plugs.
Oil is much better than back in the 60s-70s and EFI eliminates the fuel wash on start up. Thinner rings, better surface finishes, better combustion control, etc. These ARE the good old days.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: lewtot184] #2733182
01/14/20 11:34 PM
01/14/20 11:34 PM
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Tri-Cities, Washington
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Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and examples of engine builds. I think I'll stick with the KISS method as some have mentioned.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: VITC_GTX] #2733294
01/15/20 11:00 AM
01/15/20 11:00 AM
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usa
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Originally Posted by VITC_GTX
Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and examples of engine builds. I think I'll stick with the KISS method as some have mentioned.

as far as cams go, don't let anyone talk you into some kind of "Saturday night/ root beer stand idle" camshaft. if you have any doubts or don't understand a particular cam then just revert back to a stock type profile. over camming a 383 really ups the misery index.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: lewtot184] #2733477
01/15/20 09:16 PM
01/15/20 09:16 PM
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Prospect, PA
BSB67 Offline
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Originally Posted by lewtot184
Originally Posted by VITC_GTX
Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and examples of engine builds. I think I'll stick with the KISS method as some have mentioned.

as far as cams go, don't let anyone talk you into some kind of "Saturday night/ root beer stand idle" camshaft. if you have any doubts or don't understand a particular cam then just revert back to a stock type profile. over camming a 383 really ups the misery index.


This is true. The manual tranny does help a little.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: lewtot184] #2733501
01/15/20 11:16 PM
01/15/20 11:16 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
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Originally Posted by lewtot184
Originally Posted by VITC_GTX
Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and examples of engine builds. I think I'll stick with the KISS method as some have mentioned.

as far as cams go, don't let anyone talk you into some kind of "Saturday night/ root beer stand idle" camshaft. if you have any doubts or don't understand a particular cam then just revert back to a stock type profile. over camming a 383 really ups the misery index.


Well damn.......even at my age something new comes along that I’ve never heard of.....

What exactly is a “Saturday night/ root beer stand idle”. ??? Ya got me there! LOL

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #2733580
01/16/20 11:25 AM
01/16/20 11:25 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
moparx Offline
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north of coder
DA lump, DA lump, DA lump, DA lump [and on and on] biggrin
beer

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: moparx] #2733587
01/16/20 11:57 AM
01/16/20 11:57 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,478
So. Burlington, Vt.
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One of my friends used to refer to the old 509 cam as......

“The baddest cam at the drive in”


68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: fast68plymouth] #2733728
01/16/20 08:03 PM
01/16/20 08:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
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oklahoma
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forphorty Offline
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Originally Posted by fast68plymouth
One of my friends used to refer to the old 509 cam as......

“The baddest cam at the drive in”
Back in the 80s, the Comp Cams ads described the 292 Magnum the same way. Guess which cam I bought? apimp

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: forphorty] #2733751
01/16/20 08:56 PM
01/16/20 08:56 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,309
Prospect, PA
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Originally Posted by forphorty
Originally Posted by fast68plymouth
One of my friends used to refer to the old 509 cam as......

“The baddest cam at the drive in”
Back in the 80s, the Comp Cams ads described the 292 Magnum the same way. Guess which cam I bought? apimp


Things have changed over time, but to Lew's point there was a time when what it sounded like at idle or rolling through a parking lot at 1500 rpm was everything. I've been involved with a few builds that that was the criteria. Although not necessarily my cup of tea, they did sound incredible. One was a tubbed S-10. Just a 350 Chevy, but it had the "extra loose" timing gear set (verses a timing chain) along with a slow ramp huge duration roundy-roundy cam, and exhaust out in front of the rear tires. He fired that baby up, a crowd of people would migrate to see what was making the noise. The sound was impressive. The car's sound was an attraction.

Re: 383 Build Options - Roadrunner [Re: BSB67] #2733854
01/17/20 11:32 AM
01/17/20 11:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,478
So. Burlington, Vt.
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fast68plymouth Offline
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Quote
Things have changed over time


Or....... what’s old is new again?

Hence...... the birth of the Thumpr, Rattler, Bootlegger cams(for when you’re out on a Saturday night at the root beer stand. Must be the local A&W) smoke


68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
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