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1966 383 in my 71

brigond

brigond

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Hi, just wondering if anyone would know how to tell if my 66 383 engine was a 4 bbl or a 2 bb version? I was told by the previous owner that it was originally in a Fury. It's now in my 71 charger. What were the differences between the 4 and 2 barrel engines? Cam, crank,pistons? Thanks
 
Carb and intake, it may be slightly lower compression too (different pistons) but I'm not sure about '66.
 
Yes, its lower compression and horsepower for the 2bbl. I know that newer 383s had an HP engraved on the pad by the distributor. Just wondering if there is some definitive marking to tell which I have on a 66, 383 engine. I know the heads are for a 66 but the 4bbl intake that's on it now appears to be from a. 71, which is the year of my Charger.
 
Short of pulling it apart you can't tell if it's an original 4bbl.or a 2bbl.
 
Yeah , that's what I was thinking. I'm not ready to pull it apart for any reason , any time soon. I read somewhere that 2bbl 66s had dished pistons accounting for lower compression than the 4bbl. I bought one of those flexible camera probes but couldn't really see to well through the spark plug hole.
 
Do a compression check an see where the PSI is. If it's below 140 or so, then it's low compression engine. IIRC, the 4 bbl motors generally pumped around 160 or so.....
 
In 66, all 383 car engines were 4 barrel motors and 10:1.
The 361 was the "economy" big block offering.

In 67, the 361 was discontinued (for passenger cars) and replaced with the LC 383 2 barrel.

With that said, I couldn't tell you how to tell if it's a car engine, or a truck engine.

The 383 2 barrel was still 9.2:1, which is not bad at all for today's gas.


...and if you have open chambered heads, the compression will be lower than the 66 or 67 specs.
 
YY1 said:
In 66, all 383 car engines were 4 barrel motors and 10:1.
The 361 was the "economy" big block offering.

In 67, the 361 was discontinued (for passenger cars) and replaced with the LC 383 2 barrel.

With that said, I couldn't tell you how to tell if it's a car engine, or a truck engine.

The 383 2 barrel was still 9.2:1, which is not bad at all for today's gas.


...and if you have open chambered heads, the compression will be lower than the 66 or 67 specs.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all for the info. I don't Believe it is from a truck. What difference would it be if it were from a truck? Great info !
 
YY1 said:
In 66, all 383 car engines were 4 barrel motors and 10:1.
The 361 was the "economy" big block offering.
Click to expand...
Not true! Chrysler did make a 383 2 bbl in 66. It was standard in the Newport, the 4 bbl was a option.
 
I think so? I hope so!
 
69a100 said:
Not true! Chrysler did make a 383 2 bbl in 66. It was standard in the Newport, the 4 bbl was a option.
Click to expand...

I was told by the previous owner that my the 66, 383 block, came from a Fury.
 
brigond said:
I was told by the previous owner that my the 66, 383 block, came from a Fury.
Click to expand...
I don't have a Plymouth FSM to confirm that, but I'm sure they put them in a bunch of other Mopars as well.
 
66 engines were not marked for 2 or 4bbl on the outside. Either you have to pull a head, or borrow someone's little boroscope and take a plug out and look at the top of a piston....flat top is 4bbl, dog-dish style piston tops are 2bbl versions. All heads in 66 were the same, that is 516's for either version.
 
brigond said:
I was told by the previous owner that my the 66, 383 block, came from a Fury.
Click to expand...

It could be a 2 or 4bbl then.
383-2bbl was available in '66 C bodies.

Look for the engine assembly number on the rail. It may have an R or a P in the number. An R = regular fuel = 2bbl. A P=premium fuel=4bbl.
Does it have the original exhaust manifolds?
 

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Very true, and those 383 hp manifolds for 64-66 only are scarce, as they look like the ram log, but the outlets are larger for dual exhaust. They ran really well, although they also had 98-102 octane on every corner!
 
I have to look . I believe the exhaust manifolds are from the 71 383. I have to check the serial # again. The heads belong to a 66, I removed the valve covers to reveal the your old numbers. The intake manifold belong to the original 71 383 hp engine.

Where can I find the #s to determine whether it used Premium or regular fuel . Where is the "rail" that has these letters ? Seems that this will give me a good idea. Thanks
 
There is no rail on the 66 block. My 66 has the 10,000 day calendar near the starter on the block.very difficult to see.
The first two letters will be the plant, then the engine size, then the letter for the fuel rating, then the calendar.Sometimes they are on the ear holding the starter on the top, once I saw them on the back of the block,where you can't see unless you took the engine out. I'll try tomorrow to look on my 67' to give you a better Idea, as it is out of the car. I'll post it If it is warm enough to get out there.
 
monaco66coupe said:
There is no rail on the 66 block. My 66 has the 10,000 day calendar near the starter on the block.very difficult to see.
The first two letters will be the plant, then the engine size, then the letter for the fuel rating, then the calendar.Sometimes they are on the ear holding the starter on the top, once I saw them on the back of the block,where you can't see unless you took the engine out. I'll try tomorrow to look on my 67' to give you a better Idea, as it is out of the car. I'll post it If it is warm enough to get out there.
Click to expand...

Thank you , I will look around the starter and anywhere else to see if I can find something that will tell me the fuel type. I'm going to be doing spark plugs . I will also to look down the spark plug hole with my camera once again . Maybe ill be able to see the top of the pistons this time.
 
Last edited:
I found the location,it is along the bottom of the block under the starter. Left of the rear main and behind the oil pan. However, my 67 HP engine does not Indicate anything regarding type of fuel. P or R. my A body 383 engine doesn't either, and I know where it came from. Sorry I can't help any further.The stamping will tell where it was made and when.
 
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