383 Questions

[palallin]

I'm toying with the idea of building a 383 for my truck. I'm vaguely familiar with the general process of doing so: a 350 with the crank journals turned for a 400 crank.

Question: I have a '69 (larger journal) 327. If memory serves, the bore of a 350 and a 327 are the same. Is it possible to build a 383 on the 327 block? I cannot see a reason it couldn't be done, but I don't know enough to be sure.

Question: If I decide to build on a 350 (thereby eliminating down-time on the truck), is it getting hard to find '69 vintage engines? I've a notion to keep the truck relatively stock (a 383 is just a modified 350, right?), so a '69 engine would be the ideal way to go.

Question: I know that several motor builders used to sell 383 "kits" which included all the necessary parts. Are these still available? From whom?

Question: Does anyone know anything about the 383 crate motor GM is selling now?

TIA.