Block # gurus...

[jeepthrills01]

Howdy gents,
So looking around the internet...after accepting the fact i cant build my 440 stroker for a while...and this gem pops up. For 350 bucks...i jumped on it.
Was rebuilt about 20 years ago...and before it could be installed the owner passed away. I have not pulled the heads yet, but with a flashlight i was able to see a very clean crosshatched bore..shiny 2 row timing chain...and a pair of 906s so clean you could eat off them... so no question that it is fresh.
But i wonder about its origin...so..if someone has a minute..please, do that voo doo that you do...so well.

 

[Mike Szadaj]

It is a 383 made at the Trenton plant. What is the digit after 383? I can’t make it out in the picture. The four digits following 383 are the assembly date

 

[jeepthrills01]

Yeah..little blurry...sorry

PT383R2261044

 

[Mike Szadaj]

If those four numbers are 2226 that would be called to September 1, 1967. The last four digits of the build sequence number

 

[jeepthrills01]

Casting date is 08/15/67

 

[Mike Szadaj]

If it is an R then I am confused

 

[jeepthrills01]

Could be "P" ...im not near it at the moment....would that make more sense?

 

[Mike Szadaj]

No. The 383 should be followed by eight numerals. The first for being the 10,000 day date code. The next four basically a serial number.

 

[jeepthrills01]

Ill be home in a little bit and verify it

 

[Mike Szadaj]

I am trying to find out if the R means it is a replacement block

 

[Mike Szadaj]

If the four digits after the R are for the 10,000 day date code, that would translate to October 6, 1967

 

[PRND21]

$350 for a clean, complete 383 sounds like a bargain to me. Congrats.

 

[Mike Szadaj]

If it is a P it looks like that stands for premium fuel. It would still seem like you were missing one numeral though

 

[jeepthrills01]

Huh...the distributor stamping has an R on the bottom left...i thought that was the Regular fuel stamp placement.

 

[jeepthrills01]

$350 for a clean, complete 383 sounds like a bargain to me. Congrats.

Thanks...as soon as i get the heads off to measure the piston depth, im sure ill be able to determine if its ever even been used..lol...rebuilt 383 for 350 has a very sweet sound to it...i threw the dice...might come up smelling like roses

 

[Mike Szadaj]

In reality though, you have no idea what parts are original to this engine

 

[69Bee]

I would suggest replacing the springs. OEM blue springs with 0.060" shims (copper), not to mention they have sat in their positions for 20 years.

 

[jeepthrills01]

In reality though, you have no idea what parts are original to this engine

Not till i get it torn down.

I would suggest replacing the springs. OEM blue springs with 0.060" shims (copper), not to mention they have sat in their positions for 20 years.

It looks like it has the shims...but if i decide to run this engine...itll have my Eddie RPMs on it.

 

[Mike Szadaj]

Huh...the distributor stamping has an R on the bottom left...i thought that was the Regular fuel stamp placement.

I was referring to your statement about the distributor.

 

[Mike Szadaj]

Regardless, so far, all signs point to this being an excellent buy. Just for the heck of it, when you get home and check to see what that letter actually is, you should also check what is stamped on the top front of the block Near the intake