350 to 383 stroker

[JAM1777]

Hi everyone, i have been having alot of problems and posting about my 69 C10. Its a 350 small block and the rear main seal has been a headache. My friend repaired it and it still leaks so i took it to a shop and they said the seal was put on correctly but when they turn the engine on with the tranny out they can see the crank has a little movement like it has some wear on it. So they said it may need a crank kit. So they are going to pull the engine and turn it upside down to see the extent of whats wrong. They said depending on what they find, the repairs could be anywhere from $850 to $1450. So in the future i really wanted to turn my 350 into a stroker, but now since the crank needs to be fixed or changed wouldnt this be the perfect time to not only repair it but also upgrade it to a 383? And how much does turning a 350 into 383 cost usually?? Thanks for any info

[hugger6933]

If you are just changing it as a crank kit to be going to a stroker to have a 383 your not gonna be happy as the motor needs to be planned around the build instead of just throwing a longer stroke crank in as an afterthought. To make it be what it could be it needs a different cam and maybe even carb heads and intake. Also there is more to it to the stroker than just the crank. It needs different rods and pistons and possibly block work as well that is not gonna be anywhere in that $1450. I hate to pee in your Cheerios but I feel if you do this now with no other changes you will be disappointed in your motor. Jim

[GASoline71]

Depends on whose doing it. Sounds like the thrust surface on the crank is shot. So your're looking at a new crank, align hone, clearance the block for a 400 (longer stroke) crank, you can reuse your 350 5.7" rods, but depending on the condition they will need to be resized and reconditioned. New bearings, and you'll need new pistons as the engine will need to bored out .030 to make a 383.

So it's not just a "throw a 400 crank in it and call it good" type of deal.

Gary

[70LonghornCST]

Hi Jam1777! I went ahead and moved this for you the Engine and Drivetrain area. Good luck on your decision.

[JAM1777]

Oh wow.....ok. i guess i will just wait and see what they find and just get the repairs it needs done. But so i know what im looking at down the road, how much does a quality 350 to 383 conversion cost ballpark??

[GASoline71]

If done by a competent machine shop... I'd say you're looking at $2,500 to $3,000 for a long block. That's on the cheap side.

Your basically looking at a full on engine rebuild and adding on the align hone, and block clearancing. Which needs to be done properly to clear that long stroke crank. You'll be in it for a new cam and lifters, and then you need to look at other things like an upgraded ignition, and induction system. Otherwise... it's just moeney out the window.

Not trying to scare you away from it. Just go into it with realistic expectations. It can be done.

Gary

[JAM1777]

How much does a new already assembled 383 crate cost instead of rebuilding?

[truckster]

I would do some looking around. It's hard to beat the price of crate engines these days, whether you keep it a 350 or go with the 383. By the time you get all the machine work and parts for a rebuild, you're about the same price as a crate engine, and you get a warranty with a crate engine, which you may not with a rebuild.

[JAM1777]

Originally Posted by truckster

I would do some looking around. It's hard to beat the price of crate engines these days, whether you keep it a 350 or go with the 383. By the time you get all the machine work and parts for a rebuild, you're about the same price as a crate engine, and you get a warranty with a crate engine, which you may not with a rebuild.

Ok, where would you suggest i look for a completely assembled 383? A decent brand crate motor. Its going to be just for the street and somewhere between a daily driver and weekend cruiser. I wont be racing it. Its for a 1969 C10 longbed

[bigmac73]

http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...-size/6-3l-383

or google 383 stroker,

[storm9c1]

Can't go wrong with any of the Chevrolet Performance engines. Jegs often has free shipping specials on their crates.

[JAM1777]

Originally Posted by storm9c1

Can't go wrong with any of the Chevrolet Performance engines. Jegs often has free shipping specials on their crates.

Yeah i was looking at the chevrolet performance engines. On summit they have 3 diffrent types with diffrent horsepower, so not sure what to get. Also is it pretty standard for a new crate motor to come without intake manifold and carb?

[GASoline71]

If it's just a long block then yes. You can get them with it all included from pan to carb if you look.

Gary

[truckster]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

If it's just a long block then yes. You can get them with it all included from pan to carb if you look.

Gary

Or even stand-alone fuel injection.

[kwmech]

Are you absolutely sure it is the rear main that is leaking? AND not coming down from either the rear of the intake or the oil line next to the distributor, or maybe even the distributor gasket itself? How about the cam plug?

That is of course you're just looking for an excuse to put a stroker, which by all means works for me

[slim-n-none]

We just built one in my brothers garage for my 71. From beginning to end, and that included finding a new block since we got a surprise when we pulled the heads and the block was already .60, im in it 2-2.5k. Thats a craiglist 350 block, rotating assembly, cam, lifters, heads, machine work, gaskets, ARP studs and everything and anything else i forgot in the list that we needed. The machine shop did everything but the clearencing, and the machining part of the build was 400 I think. My brother got everything on ebay to keep cost down and all parts were quality name brand parts, but it took time to get all the deals.