I'am buying a 4 bolt 383 short block with forged pistons and a steel crank. (it's coming form Gustaf.com, the 383 Torque Monster). My question is how hard will it be to complete the short block? I already have a 350 in my 88 IROC and as far as I know all the parts are interchangeable. I just want to know exactly how hard will it be! I want to use the HSR with maybe a Comp XR276 cam and AFR 195cc heads. Any tips!?!

 

for me not hard at all, hard to tell how much or how little trouble you'll have

 

Shouldn't be too hard. I've never done it but don't think it'll be too difficult. There are plenty of books out there that will give you the torque specs/bolt patterns/etc. Good luck!

-Corey

 

It is easy for me, but it all depends on how mechanically inclined you are and if you have the tools necessary.

 

tools is where most people miss the boat on engine assembly. i'd say 75% of the engines assembled are lucky to see plasti gage let alone precission measuering insterments and i'll bet 99% never have the cams degreed. bolting the parts together isn't that hard. having an engine preform and last without leaking or using oil is the hard part.

 

This is an impossible question to answer without knowing your skill level and experience. You can throw the parts together easy enough, others here have done it and you can dig around for their later questions about why the new engine has a rod knock or is burning coolant, etc.

I'd pay a shop to do it, that sounds like a nice engine you're configuring.