M 383 Dodge Big Block used as a boat motor

[wilmacmike]

I am hoping someone on this fantastic forum can help me out here.
I have a friend who is asking me if I may want this engine.

It is set up for use in a boat. As you can see the ID pad says "M 383".

At first I thought it meant it is a Marine motor, but doing some research I have found out it is most likely a 1959 383.

The "M" means 1959 ?
Obviously "383"is the cubic inches.
My old Chilton's manual shows it having a bore and stroke of 4 1/4 x 3 3/8
Comp @ 10.0 to 1, listed as fitted to a D500 Package?

So, here are my questions:
I had heard or read somewhere that 1959 was the first year for the 383. Is this correct?
Also, is it true that the first 383 was listed as a raised block? This stroke if it is correct is for a B block rather than the raised block?

Looking at the pictures with the boat components on it, is it worth it to change those out with the correct items to go back into a car?

Would this block bolt up to a later year big block bell housing, or is it a completely different animal not worth chasing?
Should it be just left alone as is for use in a boat?

Anyways, any information would be helpful/appreciated very much. This fella has lost his storage space and is kind of pushing me to pick this up.

Thank you,
Mike
God Bless America

 

[khryslerkid]

I believe all boat engines turn the opposite direction. I read this on the internet.

That carb set-up looks pretty cool !

 

[wilmacmike]

I believe all boat engines turn the opposite direction. I read this on the internet.

That carb set-up looks pretty cool !

So far what I have found out is if it is a single engine boat it most likely ran in the normal direction. If there were dual engines for a larger boat, then they were set left and right with one running backwards. Don't quote me on this, i am trying to find the article I just read last week about the boat set ups using such motors.

 

[matthon]

Looks like an older bb, no bolt on the bottom corners of the valve covers.

That intake looks like the one on my 1/18 scale 32 Ford model with a Pontiac engine that I built one hundred years ago.

Check Allpar.

https://www.allpar.com/mopar/383.html

 

[wilmacmike]

Looks like an older bb, no bolt on the bottom corners of the valve covers.

That intake looks like the one on my 1/18 scale 32 Ford model with a Pontiac engine that I built one hundred years ago.

Check Allpar.

https://www.allpar.com/mopar/383.html

Thank you matthon, I looked at allpar also, but there is another article that I had seen which discussed the use of these engines in boats in greater detail and had shown this to be a early raised block. But of course I cannot find it again when I really need it.

 

[Demonic]

Would be good for someone needing a one year only 1959 383 RB.

 

[Lefty71]

Look for the CASTING number on the side of the engine. If it's 2120329, then it should be an RB 383 like you think it is. Should be a casting date there too.

 

[BeeKool]

Cool find. Like the carb setup, love the exhaust.
Vintage Eddy, Im sure somebody would want those, for some cool garage art if nothing else

Boat restoration is making a comeback, perhaps if we knew what sort of boat she came from.

 

[Speedbird]

You are in Carson City?
Check with 440 Source there.

http://www.440source.com/blocks.htm

 

[wilmacmike]

Would be good for someone needing a one year only 1959 383 RB.

That's for sure, but the search for that someone could possibly take awhile.

 

[wilmacmike]

Cool find. Like the carb setup, love the exhaust.
Vintage Eddy, Im sure somebody would want those, for some cool garage art if nothing else

Boat restoration is making a comeback, perhaps if we knew what sort of boat she came from.

Unfortunately he has no clue as to what it was removed from. I did not think of the wall art.

Thanks

 

[wilmacmike]

You are in Carson City?
Check with 440 Source there.

http://www.440source.com/blocks.htm

Yessir, i'm in Carson City. I will check them out.
Thank you very much for the link.

 

[BeatersRus]

that intake and carbs would look Phat in a rat rod....
hint hint..my rat rod even ( wink )
if you get the motor,would you sell the intake and carbs?

 

[Dajkzo]

If that is an RB 383 it will have a 4.030 x 3.75 bore and stroke. If those exhaust manifolds are in decent shape someone doing an older boat would like them. A forum like RiverDaves is a good place to check.

 

[khryslerkid]

So far what I have found out is if it is a single engine boat it most likely ran in the normal direction. If there were dual engines for a larger boat, then they were set left and right with one running backwards. Don't quote me on this, i am trying to find the article I just read last week about the boat set ups using such motors.

Might depend on if the prop shaft was bolted to the pully end or flywheel. I'm definitely not an expert on the boat engine either. Wonder how you could tell just by looking? How did they crank it over that would be different from a car engine?

 

[Dajkzo]

I have a vintage RaysonCraft v-drive. Looking at this engine it was setup to run off the front of the engine. You can see the PTO flange and a plate to hold the starter and the alternator running off the pulley on the flywheel. With boats, there are "NO" rules. I have a 438 CI B-block in my boat and it's more typical. It faces backward and turns clockwise. Weird intakes are almost a status symbol on vintage v-drives. I went with a tunnel ram.

 

[Daves69]

A couple items for the rotation question.
Looks like it has a starter on it. Which way does it crank the engine?
If the oil pump drive gear is not being held down by a spacer under the distributor, I'm thinking standard rotation. A RB shaft is longer than a B.
An accessories pulley on the flywheel end. Some engines were coupled to the drive line opposite the flywheel.
An old direct drive sketch...……...
https://www.glen-l.com/inboard-hdw/direct-drive.html

 

[dadsbee]

Based on the distributor vacuum advance.. it's running in "normal" direction.

 

[mopar 3 B]

The only raised block 383 my Chrysler bible shows was in 64. But not saying it can not be. The lack of side motor mount pads fit the 59 year build.

 

[BeatersRus]

Demonic said:
Would be good for someone needing a one year only 1959 383 RB.

That's for sure, but the search for that someone could possibly take awhile.

might not be as long as you think lol.
does anyone have accurate info as to what transmission will bolt up to that,esp with that crank?