How can I tell a 383 block from a 350 SBC

Cool, yes. Fast, no.

 

More SBC Info than you could imagine. Check the numbers.

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php

Small Block Chevy Engine Block Identification

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<CENTER>General block Info | Block Casting Numbers | Block Casting Date | Engine Code Stamping | Casting Clock Code
VIN Code Format | Camaro Specific Engine Codes | Small Block Suffix Codes
</CENTER>

 

The two plug 400 blocks will still have a raised area between the two plugs where the 3rd core plug would have been, the smaller displacement blocks don't have this feature.

 

Well it looks like you now have 32 replys of the same answer. I hope it helped.

 

Alex
one thing you can look for is that the block (350) has been clearanced for the rods. They clearance the pan rail mounting area, the bottom of the barrel skirt and also the top knotch where the rod swings around. Hope that helps.
Vince

 

Thanks for all the information guy's. When I pick it up tomorrow I'll take a look. It did have a nice set of heads on it but those have been sold. The pan is off so I can check it.

 

nope,some had 2 but there is a boss for the 3rd in the middle on some of the later ones

 

clueless

 

Look at the casting numbers, hit the books or go on line with these numbers and you should be able to identify the block. This holds true for flywheels, water pumps, bell housings, etc. Next check the alphabetics on the right front of the block, this should help to ID the engines first nest, compression, h.p. etc. Hope this info. helps. If you're going vintage find a 327.

 

As far as the block goes, I'm in agreement with most everyone here in that the 350 block is probably what you're looking at, regardless of whether it is a straight 350 or a stroked 383.

HOWEVER.... that being said....

I'm going to ***ume that the motor you're getting is still going to be in somewhat of a short block form - even though it lunched some pistons - and will have the harmonic balancer still on it.

The reason I point this out is that I'm almost 100% positive that a 383 stroker using a 400 crank will have to use the 400 balancer and not the 350 balancer. Supposedly you should be able to tell the cranks apart merely by being able to compare pictures of the balancers. At least this is what I've been told....

 

Yup, he's clueless.

What the heck is that THING in your avatar?
YACK!
lol

 

Yup.
The 400 is externally balanced, unless the crank is rebalanced internally with mallory metal or other means the crank SHOULD have a 400 balancer as well as a 400 flexplate.

383 is a .030" 350 block with a 400 crank, there are 377 strokers, 388, 400 block with 350 cranks engines, etc etc...

 

Unless it is an aftermarket crank that is internally balanced. They use a 350 Harmonic balancer and flexplate. The only for sure way is to measure the stroke.....easy enough if the motor turns over.

 

Yup.
Some 400 crank strokers are rebalanced internally also, it's not so simple as to look for an externally balanced balancer/flexplate sometimes..

 

This link has ALL that info on it!!

More SBC Info than you could imagine. Check the numbers.

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php

Small Block Chevy Engine Block Identification

​

<CENTER>General block Info | Block Casting Numbers | Block Casting Date | Engine Code Stamping | Casting Clock Code
VIN Code Format | Camaro Specific Engine Codes | Small Block Suffix Codes </CENTER>

 

You Chevy guys sure are easy to confuse! Mopar has a 400 also, Rambler had a 327, Chevy had two 400's, maybe the confusion is that one of them was 402 CID!

 

Hi Guy's,

Well here's what I ended up with. Its a 4 bolt block with a **** Rotating ***embly. Has a very large balancer bigger then a 350. Bores were perfect. Here's a couple of pictures of the bottom end.

 

Excellent score for $100! What do the pistons look like?

 

Two of the pistons had the lands broken. I was surprised there was no wall damage not even a scratch. I can still see the honing marks. It had a few p***es on the strip and that was it.

 

I think your right i just bought a sb chevy block from a guy and on the p***enger side piston bank in the front where you see the casting numbers this one is stamped 383 05 95. where the camshaft goes in there is 3 threaded holes for retainer bolts for roller cam and on the top where the lifters go in there is spots for retainers also, i'm thinking roller lifters. Someone has made this one into flat tappet but now that its in my hands she goin back roller all the way. The pistons are only ten over only been cut once. I only paid 200 bucks for it i'm thinkin score.

 

I have seen 400 blocks with 3 side freeze plugs, two and a raised boss were the third one should be and some with just two freeze plugs and no raised boss.
We used to build a ton of 400 and bigger small blocks for the circle track crowd with stock chev 400 blocks.

 

I had an Edsel with a factory 383 engine...