New Project

[callmej75]

Well I have started another project....it's not quite a vehicle yet...but it will have the ability to move a vehicle very quickly after i am done with it.

Picked up this 78' Chevy 350 4 bolt yesterday pretty cheap...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7280.jpg

I have the heads and intake to it but the heads are junky ones (after researching the casting numbers)so they will be sold pretty cheap to some lucky soul around here.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7281.jpg

Yeh...the bores look pretty rusty but the pistons move freely within them, so that is great! Also researched the block and it has 10% nickel content in it so it's good for a nice performance build (noticed the 010 by the oil filter housing).
This will be stroked to a 383 and I am shooting for somewhere around 600-650 horse and nice stump pulling torque. I am going to document all of my numbers here as well if someone is willing to do this same build for their yota to have some awesome power out of it! Gas mileage....Pfffffffft forget that!

I pulled the oil pan just a while ago.....i held my breath in fear of getting robbed...but it was true!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7285.jpg

4 bolt mains!

I originally wanted a 2 bolt to get machined for 4 bolt splayed caps but i opted for this 4 bolt instead. Me pulling a freeze plug..

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7283.jpg

So far I know I want all forged internals so if I want to force a little more air into it, the components will take the pressure. I will be pulling everything out tomorrow evening and give it a nice bath. Then it is off to the machine shop to be sonic tested, bored checked for thickness, and given another extensive bath. Then the machine work such as notching out the bottoms of the cylinders for the longer stroke rods from the 400 that will be purchased a little later (when funds permit).

This will be a long term build just because it will probably wind up being a budget eater. After it is done, it will be ready to drop into something with a beefier tranny and rear end to handle the torque.

Hope you all enjoy and I will document all numbers and machining I have done here.

Oh yeh...of course everything will be powder coated! I am powder coating the block, but only after researching the temp handling of certain powers because this motor will run a little on the hotter side of life.

Katy is very involved in this build as well (being around NO solvents!) She wrenches tho! Dirty girl...

[CJM]

nice, nice, nice motor.

Nothing better than a chevy 350 and a 4 bolt main means its usually from a truck or higher performance car-even better.

[YotaFun]

Sweet Find J!
Can't wait to see the progress dude.
And those engines are so simple to work on, we actually work on them in the hot rod section of my schooling, so when I get there and learn little tips to get more power out of them I will gladly share my info.

I want to see pics of Katy wrenching :-)

[fustercluck]

Nice! I hope you'll document all of the progress for those of us who must enjoy this vicariously....It's been over twenty years since I built American muscle.

[callmej75]

4 bolts are nice...but I wanted to shoot for more HP and torque from a 2 bolt with splayed caps, but I think this 4 bolt will hold up fine.

Ever tried carrying a full block minus the heads with only 2 people? My back is killing me today...I believe a dolly is in the budget to add to the tool bin to cart this thing around to the machine shop!

[CJM]

A dolly can be made of some slats of oak and some HD caster wheels.

[callmej75]

A dolly can be made of some slats of oak and some HD caster wheels.


I don't trust my woodworking abilities....LOL

[CJM]

I don't trust my woodworking abilities....LOL


You gotta be kidding me, 4 slats of oak thats an inch thick and 4 caster wheels? screwed together??

[callmej75]

I don't trust my woodworking abilities....LOL


You gotta be kidding me, 4 slats of oak thats an inch thick and 4 caster wheels? screwed together??


It has to have big wheels to take up the rear steps of my basement. Then across the yard into the Van. Small casters would not suffice for this small trip. Would just sink up in the yard. I believe my neighbor has a dolly....

[4runnerchevy]

I am truly interested. Great project.

[callmej75]

Well she is stripped, minus the freeze plugs in the rear of the block which i will get to tomorrow when i take it off the stand.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7292.jpg

My little helper with the timing cover and chain...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7286.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7287.jpg

Taking off the rod bolts...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7288.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7290.jpg

The crankshaft bearings looked great and no scoring on the crank journals or block

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7298.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7299.jpg

Oh forgot...heres the first piston out...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7289.jpg

Here is how she sits now...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7291.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7293.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7293.jpg

I has a peeper..

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7300.jpg

Well thats all for now folks...stay tuned as tomorrow it will all be degreased! Gonna have the shop take the cam bearings out and put some new ones in as well. Cylinder walls looked good besides for some rust issues which boring will take care of that.

[callmej75]

I am truly interested. Great project.


I was awaiting your presence!

This will definitely be a strong reliable build that will withstand nitrous or be blown....

Had my eyeball on some aluminum rods today...they're purty! :hillbill:

[Seanz0rz]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7287.jpg

haha katy is sure lookin purdy there!!!

[Euphorickaty80]

My little helper with the timing cover and chain...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7286.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7287.jpg


I has a peeper..

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7300.jpg

Ok, Just for the record, i didnt just stand there and look cute for pictures(though i am pretty good a that)....lol

I helped take the heads off yesterday and pulled the oil pan. :wrenchin: Today we pretty much tackled everything together, taking the whole bottom end out. So i can officially say now that i know a motor inside and out even though i had a pretty good idea all along....

I cant do alot because the doc wants me to take it easy for the next couple weeks, i over exerted myself and had a little scare but we went to the dr today and saw the baby twitching so all is good...lol

Ok.....ON WITH THE BUILD!! WOOOOOOOO!

[YotaFun]

I cant do alot because the doc wants me to take it easy for the next couple weeks, i over exerted myself and had a little scare but we went to the dr today and saw the baby twitching so all is good...lol


YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR AND I DON'T GET A CALL!?!?!?!
Just kidding, glad to hear everything is good though, and good to see you looking healthy and working on that mo

[fustercluck]

Looking good J! This thread is gonna cost me plenty if I get the muscle car bug again...

By the way, Katy you are looking FINE baby! Hehe.

For the record, I lifted my 400 small block BY MYSELF and carried it across the garage. ...'course I was 21....hehe.

[callmej75]

Ok heres the info on the numbers...

Here is the block number casting on the rear of the motor

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7303.jpg

Screen shot of code from a chart online

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/blockcode.jpg

Here is how to determine the tin and nickel content of the block that would make it suitable for high performance builds. It is a 010 or a 020 which represents 10% or 20^ of the tin and nickel content. It is behind the timing chain cover...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7306.jpg

On the side of the block

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7302.jpg

And under the oil filter housing

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7301.jpg

The head casting code is on the inside of the head

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7308.jpg

As you can see here, this number casting is crack prone. Heads no good to me...besides they will be replaced with some nice high flow aluminum heads!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/headcasting.jpg

Here is the fun part...with this info, see if some one can tell me where this block was manufactured, what date it was manufactured, and what year and what did this motor come out of by this code?

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7311.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/Enginesuffixcode.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/blockcode2.jpg

[callmej75]

Looking good J! This thread is gonna cost me plenty if I get the muscle car bug again...

By the way, Katy you are looking FINE baby! Hehe.

For the record, I lifted my 400 small block BY MYSELF and carried it across the garage. ...'course I was 21....hehe.


You are NUTZ! I woulda dragged that 400 on the oil pan... :hillbill:

[DHC6twinotter]

Manufactured in Flint, Michigan on October 14, 1978. Model is a Pickup (I think).

Edit: Read year wrong.

[callmej75]

Correct...

[callmej75]

Got her cleaned up yesterday and all gasket surfaces and what not cleaned off.

Next step....dressing the edges up on the casting of the block, boring some of the drain holes in the front and rear of the block for draining of oil more towards the front and rear of the block to keep alot of it off the rotating assembly. Then it's off to the machine shop to be decked, notched cylinder walls, cleaned further, align honed and bored, and new cam bearings installed. Sonic tested as well for any cracks...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7312.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7313.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/IMG_7314.jpg

[DHC6twinotter]

Any ideas what this motor is going into?

[callmej75]

If I can find a reasonably priced project such as Chevelle, Nova, or older Camaro then I'll go that route. I am also looking into S-10's, but not my primary choice.

I will have quite some time to decide and look around because this is going to take awhile. Machine work and stuff will be done fairly quickly. getting the parts will be time consuming because of the funds factor.

[CJM]

I like the S10 V8 conversions, small and light and you can find an S10 easy. Other options would be a regal v8, monte carlo v8, etc.

[callmej75]

Or a Vega...but the S-10's are a dime a dozen. Saw quite a few on Cl today that were well within $600-$900 that had a bad engine or tranny.

The wife ruled out the Monte Carlo....she said that was too "rednecky" for around here....but I do like the older SS types though.

[YotaFun]

Or a Vega...but the S-10's are a dime a dozen. Saw quite a few on Cl today that were well within $600-$900 that had a bad engine or tranny.

The wife ruled out the Monte Carlo....she said that was too "rednecky" for around here....but I do like the older SS types though.


If you get an S10 with the a bad motor, I want that bad motor! lol
I need an anchor for if my brakes fail on me lol!

If you got a Chevelle or Camaro, I will so be down there every weekend to help you with this project lol!

[4runnerchevy]

If its going into an S-10, Jag, Datsun, Volvo, or any other, check out http://www.jagsthatrun.com/ .

These guys pretty much invented the v8 swap. Alot of great info on V8 and V6 swaps into all kinds of vehicles, as well as swap parts, electronics.

[callmej75]

Good stuff....thanks!

[callmej75]

Just messing with some numbers on the desktop dyno...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/Dyno.jpg

[DHC6twinotter]

Sweet! I vote for throwing that motor in a Dahtsun 510. :hillbill:

[callmej75]

I really wanna Chevy Luv...

[callmej75]

Ok...I am taking her down to the machine shop next weekend. went to a local race shop and they gave me the skinny on all the machine shops around here. All gray haired racing dudes getting their NOS bottles filled...you know...the old timers that actually know of the good places around and you can trust! A local guy that has been racing for over 15 years, and builds drag motors, is the guy for the job!

Also been looking around at some old Chevelles, Novas, and Camaros and have decided to save and go that route. found a restorable 71 Chevelle last night on Craigslist for $800 and has some rust here and there, but a solid frame. I am contemplating on picking it up but not sure yet as to save the machine shop work for another month, or get the car. This way i'd have both to build on and seems like a good price for the 71'! I use to have a 72' and I absolutely loved that car. Decisions decisions... here is a few pics that are up on Craigslist:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/3k23m03paZZZZZZZZZ94pb0652093e47219.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/3m43o93l7ZZZZZZZZZ94p99aaa3a9313a1a.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a128/callmej75/Project%20383/3nd3m63oaZZZZZZZZZ94p3b3b36da4ed817.jpg

[YotaFun]

J get ti and I will tow it home for you and help you work on it!

[04 Rocko Taco]

x2. get it J!!!!!!!!! .....OR save and spend the $800 on another Yota. :)

[callmej75]

J get ti and I will tow it home for you and help you work on it!


Well come down this weekend and tow it then! LOL

[YotaFun]

J get ti and I will tow it home for you and help you work on it!


Well come down this weekend and tow it then! LOL


As man so now I have to finish my rear bumper?
LOL how about getting a baby room ready?
As much as I know the baby will love the back seat of a chevelle the shaggin wagon will have to do LOL!

[callmej75]

Were working on moving into another house...something bigger

[YotaFun]

Were working on moving into another house...something bigger


I need to call more!
I had no clue!
Area of town?

[callmej75]

Next door...

[callmej75]

Chevelle sold....back to the drawing board. Oh well I need to get this motor built first...found a 57 Chevy Bel Air for $900 with no motor or tranny and has been stored for 15 years in a garage with no rust...but that will be gone before Friday I am betting.

[DHC6twinotter]

found a 57 Chevy Bel Air for $900


Sweet! I love the Bel Air. My bro and I were looking at a '57 2 door wagon (just like a Nomad, but wasn't called a Nomad--I think it was a lower trim level or something). It was way too much work though.

What about buying a FJ40 or FJ60 and putting the motor in that? :D

[CJM]

57 bel airs can be cool, but not like a chevelle

[callmej75]

57 bel airs can be cool, but not like a chevelle


I agree...I really wanna 55 Bel Air but those aren't priced to sell too quickly.

I am going on Friday and talking to the machine shop for this block and get some info from this 15 yr. veteran racer and drop off the block to him to start the work on it.

[CJM]

Good luck with the block, what kinda numbers are you hoping to get from it?

[callmej75]

Around 550...but will settle for 525 or so. If I decide to spray it, which I'm not so sure about, then it will make well over 700. I am pointing towards supercharging it with either a 177 style roots blower...or maybe if I can save on down the line, a 6-71 blower.

Here is a good writeup on a 383 Chevy High Performance documented that put out over 530hp and 506 ft. lbs. torque.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/0304_beck_racing_street_383_engine/index.html

[CJM]

More than enough power dude with even 400+ hp, 500hp is awesome. I would do a supercharger, the spray is cool but can literally kill the engine even if its well built. I am not a fan of the junk.

[callmej75]

Yeh it should be....even if I decide to take it to the track and see what it's got. I've had a 450hp 72 Chevelle before that I loved....so i know how that power feels. Just like tattoos...once ya get one...ya always want more!

Yeh the NOS is not really an option here...unless I was an all out racer and this is gonna be on the street most of the time so no need for it.