Newbie needs help identifying motor

Toast_Eater · Jul 13, 2014

Hey Guys,

I bought a 1970 Satellite RR tribute car last year from a supposedly reputable shop. I was told it was a 383 making 400+ HP and nearly 500 lb/ft torque. Just had it dynoed by a local reputable mopar shop and it made 330HP after some basic tuning.

The guy says he doesn't think it's a 383. Says it looks more like a 400 to him based on external casting marks of the block. He said the serial numbers were ground off so he couldn't tell for sure.

I looked on the bottom left passenger side of block just above oil pan and found 6A164793 stamped there. I don't see any other numbers elsewhere on the block. Is there any way to figure out what this block is from? Just worried I'm the victim of fraud...

WP29440SE · Jul 13, 2014

there are casting numbers on both sides of the block, post those and we can narrow it down. I highly doubt they ground those off.
this is the passenger side towards the rear

it will look something like this

sleepar · Jul 13, 2014

The engines are nearly identical and if has be redone it may be real hard to tell... that number should cross over to something look for a date code... if numbers were removed that's not a good sign a 400 factory would have around 330 where a 383 would expect a bit more but that doesn't mean anything that only they lied about the power which is common. If it's a clone doesn't really matter much any way as long as the motor is sound you have something to work with...

Toast_Eater · Jul 13, 2014

I agree. It runs well. Just want to know what I have. The dealer told me what he knew for sure, but I'd like the real story, as much as I can find anyway. Here are some pics of it if that helps. I'll see if I can find those other numbers. Not sure where to look.

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sleepar · Jul 13, 2014

You may not be able to get a good picture.... take a crayon and a piece of paper and feel around for the numbers like in the above photo find the freeze plug and try to get a rubbing of it and then post it... the picture above is a 440- 4 bbl once you get in there it's tight from under the car.

WP29440SE · Jul 13, 2014

Toast_Eater said:
Not sure where to look.

the pic I posted , and it is in the same place as my 440 (I just went out and looked) is at the rear of the block on the passenger side below the head. there are also casting numbers on the drivers side. but the passenger side has the date code. because the 400 replaced the 383 , there is a good chance we can narrow it down just by the date

Plymouth63 · Jul 13, 2014

The first picture shows the distr. hold down bracket against a small tab. So I'm saying 383 or 400 cu. in.

vanrj1 · Jul 13, 2014

One question would be was the seller talking crank HP and you did chassis dyno? Could explain a good portion of the difference. Just a possibility.

khryslerkid · Jul 13, 2014

Looks like a "b" block to me. (383, 400) A "rb" raised block, (413, 440) would have a ID pad on the top front of the block. Just under that disconnected vacume hose in the picture.

Look under your distributor, on the block to find the ID pad on a "b" block.
The statement was made that maybe yours was ground off but you could look there to see. It's a flat pad favoring the outwards side of the block under the distributor.

- - - Updated - - -

Top pic is a "b" block. Bottom is a "rb"

Toast_Eater · Jul 13, 2014

I'll check in a bit. That dyno was a chassis dyno. 330hp to wheels at 5200rpm. Has an edelbrock intake. Not sure what carb. Has custom cams. Pretty lumpy setup. I'm told it's bored over too. Not sure of head work but I'm told they're stock heads.

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Toast_Eater · Jul 13, 2014

I think I see the numbers 1X Stamped back in there but to be totally honest I can't really be sure where I'm looking.

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Photon440 · Jul 14, 2014

First of all...Hi Toast_Eater, welcome! Always nice to see someone new here. You might want to go to the welcome forum and introduce yourself. Show us a picture of that tribute!

And 330 RWHP isn't too bad, that same engine could very well be at the 400 hp. on an engine dyno. I'll bet it's still a blast to drive, isn't it?

Car Nut · Jul 14, 2014

aboard!

Toast_Eater · Jul 14, 2014

The car IS a blSt to drive. And thanks for the welcome! I can't find this dang stamp lol. I'll keep trying when I have time.

You guys must think I've got the brain of a stump lol

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khryslerkid · Jul 14, 2014

Must come from eating all that toast!

If you look closely at the flat spot under the distributor in my pic, you'll see a "HP" stamping. That's where you should find your numbers. You can remove the paint to see them better.

Now if you have a "RB" engine, the flat pad will be on the top/front at the valley pan mount. In your picture, there is a disconnected vacume hose and plug wires covering this area. I don't seem to see a pad there but I could be wrong.

Now the casting numbers are located in the locations that were stated by WP29440SE. They are raised numbers in the casting on both sides of the block.

Good luck...

gdrill · Jul 15, 2014

Lethbridge eh?! Hmm I'll have to keep a look out for you. Were you out for Street Wheelers? Anyway, good luck on figuring this out, but as long as you are having fun, it really doesn't matter!

IQ52 · Jul 15, 2014

As said before, 330 HP to the rear wheels is a fairly healthy 383 that should be making 400 flywheel horsepower.

So, from the numbers you have provided stamped into the flat pad just above the oil pan, you have a 1966 model year engine, the 6 from 6A164793. The vehicle it came from was assembled at the Lynch Road plant (the A). And 164793 is the serial number of the car. The pictures you have provided show that it is a B engine. In 1966 there were two B engines, a 361 and a 383. You will have one of two numbers cast into the side of the block, 2205712 for the 361 or 2468130 for the 383. See what you can find and get back to us.

69Coronetrt · Jul 15, 2014

IQ52 said:
...you have a 1966 model year engine, the 6 from 6A164793. The vehicle it came from was assembled at the Lynch Road plant (the A). And 164793 is the serial number of the car. The pictures you have provided show that it is a B engine....

Which would be a good answer IF they stamped VIN numbers on a 66 block. Since they did not, we know this is a 76 model year block. The pictures indicate a B series engine meaning it is a 400 not a 383. Since it came from the Lynch Road plant, we know it was some sort of B body like a Coronet or Fury.

I'm guessing you will find 6T400 plus, probably, the letter "E" (cast crank) stamped on the pad if the numbers haven't been ground off.

Toast_Eater · Jul 21, 2014

That's super helpful! Thanks! But I haven't found any more numbers on the motor. Assuming it's not a 383 like the guy I bought it from told me, should I take issue with it being a 400 instead?

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super-bee_ski · Jul 21, 2014

Honestly?
330 HP at the rear wheels is a very good number for a "stock" build!
Dont forget, a torque flight trans can devour up to 60HP.
In my opinion....

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