Going forward...383?

[jdl71]

After being unable to isolate what sounded like a rod or torque converter/flexplate knock, I finally decided to pull the pig out. I don't see anything obviously wrong with the flexplate or converter now, but don't see how it's ran this long without locking up to be a spun bearing. I haven't pulled the oil pan yet, may know more after that. It needs to rebuilt anyway, smokes a little, and was made for regular gas. I've done a basic SBC rebuild before but this time I'm considering a couple of options.

Option 1) http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance/809/10067353/10002/-1

Pros:
 1)quick turnaround
 2)no (little) assembly required
  2a) no assembly errors to worry about
 3)warranty

Cons:
 1) truck shipping. would need to be here when delivered
 2) upfront cost
 3) not much more power than from the original '78 mill
 4) not the original engine to truck

Option 2) http://www.jegs.com/i/Eagle/356/B13454L/10002/-1

Pros:
1) less upfront cost, can spread out over parts, machine work, etc. as funds available
2) MORE power. LOTS more.
3) Bragging rights

Cons:
1)more downtime. not a huge deal since this isn't my dd, but it is the only truck I have right now
2)assembly required
2a)possibility for assembly and/or clearance errors or issues causing catastrophic damage
3)probably more total cost

I'm really liking the 383 idea at the moment. It seems that the only extra parts costs would be the crank, rods, balancer and flexplate which all come in the kit. The rest of the stuff I would be buying anyway. I'm also wondering how it would perform with stock iron heads and my cast intake and spread bore q-jet. Eventually I would go for an aluminum intake and better carb, but to get it back on the road for now I'm planning on using what I've got. What about exhaust? Can it breathe allright with stock manifolds? I've got true duals with glass packs now. My experience with headers in the past has not been that good.

Opinions, please!

[slammed79]

383 is the way to go. You'll need to get your block machined anyway, so you may as well have them clearance it for the stroker crank.

And if you are terribly worried about messing something up during re-assembly, take the rotating kit to the machine shop with the block, it may cost a bit more, but the shop should stand by their work.

Now for your exhaust, what brand headers have you used in the past? Its definetly one of the "you get what you pay for" deals with headers. For a 383, I'd run a full length truck header, and your glass packs will be fine. What diameter tubing are you using?

A dual plane Edlebrock intake will be fine, and I'd personally not go any bigger than a 600-650 CFM carb.

This is my 02 cents on the subject.

[1980c10]

A 383 is nice but I wouldn't without some better breathing heads then upgrade your intake and carb later. Like slammed says just have the machine shop assemble the short block. I did, it didn't cost much more and gave me a warranty. Not to mention quicker.

[Lt.Del]

I have the 383 and she flies like a bat outta....well, a cave.  I have stock exhaust manifolds going to duals.  No problem there.  I have the Edelbrock which is probably 750+cfm or whatever. Aluminum edelbrock dual plane intake, 1.6/2.02 valves, RV cam w/ a slight lopey idle.  She's fine.

www.delbridge.net/install

[jdl71]

I talked to my machine shop guy today, he will assemble the whole thing for $300. Heads and all. That's put me about 85% towards the 383 now. As soon as I get some time to tear this thing down and see what it looks like I'll know more, but it's looking pretty likely I'm gonna go that route. Thanks all for the gentle arm twisting. 

[jdl71]

Well, I believe I found the source of the knock:



I was somewhat relived to find this because I was really beginning to wonder if I tore this down for no reason. After pulling the pan and not seeing any shavings I also didn't see anything obviously wrong on the lower end. Until I got to the #5 rod. Unfortunately I think I'm just going to rebuild and ditch the 383 idea, really don't have the coin for it now, and I need to get this beast back on the road. I will have a little extra scratch though and was thinking about an aluminum intake and new carb. A very basic question I should know the answer to, but what kind of improvement should I expect with a dual plane Performer or similar and a 4150 Holley? I know it won't be the torque monster a stroker would, but I'm hoping that combined with a fresh rebuild will wake it up at least a little.

[1980c10]

It will help but now would be the time to add a cam, some flat top pistons and some nicer heads. If its not in your budget to do all of that; do this part now and the carb and intake later. I'm getting close to 400 hp with this combo and well over 400ft lbs of tq. btw for the carb I run a 670 street avenger with bigger jets.