The 383 Stroker history lesson.

The small block chevy or SBC first hit the market back in 1955 when GM first produced a 265 CI motor. Just 13 short years later, GM produced the first 350 CI SBC making it a strong competitor in racing due to its performance output. The 350 CI motor held strong until 1999, but by this time different configurations of the 350 CI mouse motor were introduced by the public for the public. The largest at the time being the 383, followed by the 396 and the 408 all from a 350 block. 408 is currently the largest SBC mouse motor availible, because at that point the cylinder walls are becoming too thin to produce the heat transfer needed to keep the mighty mouse motor from over-heating. For all you gear-heads, the 383 was made by taking a 350 block and boring it .030" over the stock 4.00" bore, machining the block to make room for the rod throw due to increased rod stroke length, and replacing the stock 350 crank with a SBC 400 crank giving this small 350 CI motor a whopping 3.750" of stroke. Over the years, the 383 has grown quite popular not only in the street rod world, but in the race world as well. Many racers are inserting these 383 CI monster mice into small, light-weight vehicles such as S-10 trucks and blazers, AMC's, and even vega's; greatly increasing the vehicles Horsepower - weight ratio. Thats the history behind the 383, and some information regarding the build, come back next time and I will finish my blog on building a nice 383 stroker motor for a street rod. I will list some of the parts and tips coming from some of the professional engine builders, including some tops from the guys from Overhauling!!