New owner of a 383 engine needs informations

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Originally postet by "Migginsbros "

hi to all, get out our 383 engine of the 1959 Mercury Monterey 2D HT.
We disassable the engine and now we get in gear to restore him.We have a 4bbl Carter Carb and the 4 barrel OEM Manifold.
Due sitting for years, we need all rotating components new, exept the crankshaft.We need pistons minimum 030 over,In-and Exvalves,pushrods,lifters,...
In interessting to get these parts the idea grow to get more power and performance in this engine.
We have a weiand blower manifold and a Howard Roller Cam.Can we use these parts and which parts we must use for increase performance.
So...anybody outthere, If you have some information which parts I should use or/and where I can get them, please leave message.
Many thanks.

[KULTULZ]

Now We Know The Lucky E-Bayl Winner! Congratulations!
Well, with a blower setup...if it is going to see hard street duty you are going to need forged pistons. They are expensive for this engine. You might want to look around and see if you can find a 430 crank. You should be able to get by with the stock rods (I think the 383 and 430 rods are the same. I need to verify this before you spend any money) by having them magnafluxed, stress relieved (you can do this) and resized with ARP bolts.

The heads you have are the early style heads (good). You can use FE roller lifters (aftermarket) for the cam as well as most of the drivetrain.

I am sure there are a few more here that will be willing to help you make up a good build sheet. In fact, lower down on the board is a poster that has a blower and he pretty much gives a list of what he put into it.

Is this what you need to know? Give me your particulars and I will give you some vendors.

Welcome to the site by the way...

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Originally postet by "Migginsbros "

Hi, I can get a 430 crankshaft.Is it better to get more stroke and more cubicinch or is it better to hold the stroke down to get more rpm.
Or rpm are not so nececary while torque is the solution?
Think we want to use roller lifters but should we use roller rockers?The OEM rockers have 1.76 ratio.With the howard cam the valve lift is about .120 more than stock.Think we must mashine piston pockets. The 430 piston must be shorter in compression height and skirt than our 383 piston. Which weight has a 430 std. piston?Our OEM std.4.3 bore 383 piston has a weight of 2,5732 pounds(1167,2 gramms) with pin and rings.

[KULTULZ]

Modifying The MEL
No score for this post September 17 2004, 12:40 AM

"I can get a 430 crankshaft.Is it better to get more stroke and more cubicinch or is it better to hold the stroke down to get more rpm."

The reason I asked is that I am not totally sure you can get forged 383 pistons whereas custom 430 pistons are available. You would have to call the manufacturer to see if 383's are available or can be made. Of course the extra inches are going to give you extra HP.

ROSS RACING PISTONS http://www.rosspistons.com/

"Or rpm are not so nececary while torque is the solution?"

The 383/430 is a fairly low RPM engine due to lack of steel crank and rods (rods aftermarket available). You depend on the torque of the engine.

How are you going to use the engine, dedicated race or street? It makes a difference in how you build it. For reference, in 1959 when Holman-Moody used this engine in NASCAR, the RPM limit was fron 5000/5500 RPM's. Technology has advanced since then, but it isn't going to be a PRO-MOD engine.

"Think we want to use roller lifters but should we use roller rockers? The OEM rockers have 1.76 ratio.With the howard cam the valve lift is about .120 more than stock."

There is a member here that modified a 430 SUPER MARAUDER with a specialty roller cam, crane roller lifters and the roller rocker system available aftermarket for an FE. There is a lot of valvetrain geometry involved and every upgrade must be measured and checked.

"Think we must mashine piston pockets. The 430 piston must be shorter in compression height and skirt than our 383 piston."

You are going to have to partially assemble/tear down the engine most likely several times. The cam you have has no cam card with it (specs) so first you are going to have to calculate the timing events (degree wheel/lifter-dial gauge) to see what you have and if it is streetable (may have to retard for street). Then the short needs to be test assembled to measure valve clearance. You can either take the pistons to a qualified machine shop to have the eyebrows deepened or there is a tool that allows you to fly cut the piston while partially assembled. It is going to take a lot of work to get to exactly where you want it as there is not much tech material on this engine to help you along. I would imagine you will also want to go to stainless steel MANLEY valves also.

"Which weight has a 430 std. piston? Our OEM std.4.3 bore 383 piston has a weight of 2,5732 pounds(1167,2 gramms) with pin and rings."

The weight of the 430 piston is not given in the shop manual as it is not necessary for field repair. For stock weight, machinists have those specs as supplied by the manufacturer. ROSS can give you the weight on their pistons.

Where are you from? Your writing brings me to think SCANDIAVIA maybe?

Are you going to put this engine back into the '59 MERC or another application?

[KULTULZ]

Blower Drive Service http://www.blowerdriveservice.com/

Missing photo due broken Link

The above URL may give you some needed information on your planned blower installation. What type of induction are you thinking of?

[KULTULZ]

Building Recommendations For A Blower Motor
From BDS http://www.blowerdriveservice.com/recommend.htm

Missing Photo

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Originally postet by "Migginsbros "

Which kind of ignition you prefer for these 383/430 engines.Is it worth to renew the distributor(I get a new shaft and will set bushings in) or we can get a Electronic or half electronic(using flyweights) ignition system like DynaS on a Harley.

[KULTULZ]

Performance Ignition
To fire this engine you are building, you are going to need something hot like MSD. They make a FE aluminum billet distributor or you can modify yours.
MSD http://www.msdignition.com/