Now what do I do?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 67
From: NW Houston
Now what do I do?
I just found out today that my motor is just about gone. The block it still ok, but the rods, pistons, and crank are gone. The bottom end is knocking real bad. I'm thinking about going with a 383. I wanna know what I need to be looking for. I hear something about a 383 rotating assembly kit that you can buy. Is that what I need to look for? Also I will have some stock parts to sell. I need to know what I need to keep, and what I can sell. Would it be ok to get the kit used? And also what kind of cam would you recomend for a 383. I want a real agressive cam. something bigger than a cc306. what kind of springs.......etc. How much am I looking to spend on getting a kit like this. It can be used. I hear all the parts are fully forged....is that right? I'm starting to save right now for this. I just need to know what
I need to be doing with the car right now since i'm not driving it or working on it now. I have a lot of time to do this too. I appreciate all the responses to this thread. Thanks
I need to be doing with the car right now since i'm not driving it or working on it now. I have a lot of time to do this too. I appreciate all the responses to this thread. Thanks
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,168
From: AACO, MD
OK here's my opinion...crank, rods, pistons are gone? TIme for a stroker! You could probably find a deal on some used parts for a 350 rebuild, but what fun would that be 
Knocking? Here's what my spun rod bearing sounded like:
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/formula/clack2.mpg
Wore .028 off my crank, hosed my rod, that piston, camshaft, 2 lifters, and who knows what else that wasn't apparent. I hope your situation is not as bad as mine, but now is the perfect excuse to make a sick motor
The rotating assembly that I bought is from Scat Crankshafts. The Part # is 1-383IPS. Do you plan on blower/nitrous/turbo? Since you didn't mention it, I'm assuming no. From what people are saying 400+ rwhp is easy to make on a 383 (I'll find out in a couple months). Do you plan on doing any head work? The kit I mention is not forged, but has the Scat 9000 cast crank. Heard great things about it. Here's what I would do. Send an email to Brian Adams ( scatstroker@hotmail.com ) and let him know what you want. I would reccomend (not based of my personal EXPERIENCE, but they do have a GREAT NAME) the same stuff that I got really...Scat 9000 Crank, Scat 4340 I-beams, and SRP Forged pistons. If you're going to leave the stock heads, or just port them, I would advise against getting flat tops, because if you build this engine the correct way your compression will be to high. SRP has a 16cc inverted dome pistons. Check my thread on the new rotating assembly for part #'s. He can get you bearings and rings too. He should be able to cut you a hell of a deal. You can say I let you know about him, won't be in trouble or anything LOL. I didn't end up getting my stuff through him though, I decided to let my builder eat any costs on shipping etc, and let him make a little money for giving me good deals on machine work. But like I said Brian can get you a great price.
As for your camshaft, what I plan to do is the combinationmotorsports.com package:
$587 gets you:
Comp Pro Magnum Roller Rockers (1.5:1, 1.6:1, maybe others?)
Hydro Roller camshaft (quite a few to choose from)
Valve Springs (They will reccomend exactly which based on your setup)
hardened locks
chromoly retainers
I hope I had all that right...
You can take a look at the costs that I'm looking at right now...but add about $500 to this price
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/...uildsheet1.jpg
Hope that gives you a start...post up more specific questions if you've got 'em!
Knocking? Here's what my spun rod bearing sounded like:
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/formula/clack2.mpg
Wore .028 off my crank, hosed my rod, that piston, camshaft, 2 lifters, and who knows what else that wasn't apparent. I hope your situation is not as bad as mine, but now is the perfect excuse to make a sick motor
The rotating assembly that I bought is from Scat Crankshafts. The Part # is 1-383IPS. Do you plan on blower/nitrous/turbo? Since you didn't mention it, I'm assuming no. From what people are saying 400+ rwhp is easy to make on a 383 (I'll find out in a couple months). Do you plan on doing any head work? The kit I mention is not forged, but has the Scat 9000 cast crank. Heard great things about it. Here's what I would do. Send an email to Brian Adams ( scatstroker@hotmail.com ) and let him know what you want. I would reccomend (not based of my personal EXPERIENCE, but they do have a GREAT NAME) the same stuff that I got really...Scat 9000 Crank, Scat 4340 I-beams, and SRP Forged pistons. If you're going to leave the stock heads, or just port them, I would advise against getting flat tops, because if you build this engine the correct way your compression will be to high. SRP has a 16cc inverted dome pistons. Check my thread on the new rotating assembly for part #'s. He can get you bearings and rings too. He should be able to cut you a hell of a deal. You can say I let you know about him, won't be in trouble or anything LOL. I didn't end up getting my stuff through him though, I decided to let my builder eat any costs on shipping etc, and let him make a little money for giving me good deals on machine work. But like I said Brian can get you a great price.
As for your camshaft, what I plan to do is the combinationmotorsports.com package:
$587 gets you:
Comp Pro Magnum Roller Rockers (1.5:1, 1.6:1, maybe others?)
Hydro Roller camshaft (quite a few to choose from)
Valve Springs (They will reccomend exactly which based on your setup)
hardened locks
chromoly retainers
I hope I had all that right...
You can take a look at the costs that I'm looking at right now...but add about $500 to this price
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/...uildsheet1.jpg
Hope that gives you a start...post up more specific questions if you've got 'em!