ever build a 383 with the short 400 rods?

Question

I've built a few 383's with the 5.7" 350 rods, but I read that by using the 5.56"400 rods, you don't have to grind the block. Anyone done this? The r/s ratio is about that of a 454 so i dont think that will cause a problem. Any other areas it might affect?

Answer 1

yes i have done it if you run a 400 crank 400 rods and the pistons out of the 350 you have a 377 over bore it to 4.030 and is 380 go to 4.060 and you have 383 the problem is rpm dont rev it past 5000 and that even i little to much, for the money it will take to put them little rods on the 350 pistons you would be better off buying a set of pistons to fit the 5.7'' rod and get floating wrist pins and put then togher your self and clearence the block trust me the little rods wont last

Answer 2

I was always under the impression you had to grind the block for crank clearance...not piston rod clearance...but I may be wrong. Besides the aforementioned side skirt loading problems I'm thinking you will run into lower compression ratios from using the shorter rod. Now you have to get new pistons with a dome to correct that problem. And you will also no longer have a 383 because of the shorter stroke. I'd take the few minutes and grind on the block myself.

Answer 3

Haven't done it, but recognize a different technical problem that you may wish to contemplate. shorter rods in any given engine that can accept longer ones increases side loads to the piston skirts and cylinder bores. it also increases side loads to the main bearing saddles and decreases available torque to the crank.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

n o

Answer 6

anything can be done.

EC