I'm going to check out a motor soon to possibly purchase it. The guy says it's a 383. I know how to tell if it's a 350, but without breaking down the motor and/or taking it to a machine shop to have it checked out, is there any "easy" way to tell if the motor is in fact a 383.

 

only thing i can think is if the swap was recent, check the bolts and see if they look somewhat new, like if the swap has been done?

 

the only sure method to see if its a 383 is to look at the crankshaft. Simply because its still the standard journal size and bore size. the stroke is what makes it a 383. Fresher hardware can indicate at newer components yes, but the only sure way is stroke. that and take it for a test drive. a 383 is torqueier than a 350 or a 355. It makes its power sooner.

 

well if you shake the motor a certain way...it'll tell you in a quiet voice....


have him show you receipts of the motor build for proof is the only option.

 

i forgot about reciepts

LOL@ shaking the motor. Man i think i need to shake mine up a bit. Oh i already do....its in my trunk.

on a side note on that....got pulled over once because my headlights were "aimed too high " anyway, i told the cop "...its because of uh...the 200 lb cast iron engine block in my trunk...." i got a funny look and he immidiatly asked me to step out of the car as he popped the trunk....to reveal.....a cast iron engine block

anyway, BACK ON TOPIC

 

P&G test would tell you the displacement

 

Well, I kinda figured there wasn't much I could do with just a visual inspection. I'm taking a friend with me that builds race cars and we're going to go take a look at it this week.

Thanks for all y'alls input...I'll keep you posted on how it turns out. If the engine looks good, I'll be purchasing it this week and installing it next week.

I'm going to check the engine swap section to see if there is anything I'll need additional to complete the swap, unless you all can tell me what I'll need real quick.

Thanks again...

I do think I'll try that "shake the motor" method and see what happens

 

Pull the oil pan, and see if there has been any grinding done. You might also be able to measure the stroke or see some parts #'s