How To Build a Chevy 383 Stroker - Part 1: Block & Crank

The difference is not whether it is electric that determines whether it's a motor or an engine. the technical difference is that an ENGINE runs under it's own power, and a MOTOR requires a source of outside energy to run. An ENGINE can run a MOTOR (example: GENERATORS), but a MOTOR cannot run an ENGINE without some sort of external power source to run the MOTOR in the first place. Simple, right? 😉

i have a good sense of humor i like the scotch brite part . B Ann go away...

A motor is electric, an.enginee powered by burning fuel

STD 😂

It wouldnt have cost much to polish that crank. Also, you should not have that grease in there when plasiguaging. It will read tighter than it is. I got a 415 small block in about the same condition and its been running strong for 15 years now.

if you can't find out what main caps go where you cannot mix match them you would have to get it line bored to match them again or you'll have to fit them and make sure there is absolutely no gap or mark between the block and cap where the fit together. . same goes for the rods.

BTW you don't need to tap the bearing or journals you can push them flat with ur fingers...


that crank looks like shit... that crank should look like a mirror I would have just spend the money and had it polished.. that's just adding insult to injury.. you can't shave a main bearing there's a coating on it your rubing off!! ever heard of breakaway force??

I have an issue with how much oil you put in your main cap bolt. That much oil would not allow the bolt threads too properly seat. Even machine oil has the property of all fluids and DOES NOT COMPRESS! So you aren't getting the almost metal to metal torque that is called for. Put a drop of oil on your finger or a cloth and just lightly rub and remove the excess. Also imho I wouldn't waste time making a "stroker" out of a 350 with 2 bolt mains! But that may just be me.

What about GENERAL MOTORS and the FORD MOTOR COMPANY and Mopar which stands for MOTOR PARTS

my serial number on my crankshaft is 14088526

how do you know if you have a 383 strocker crankshaft

brass hammer would be a good idea bud.

do stock rods and pistons still work

will the main caps go on backwards if you make a mistake

Thank you for taking time out of your day to make this video. I did not have a good understanding of plastigage until this video. Do we also have to worry about the tolerance on the block side crank shaft bearings as well?

I got a 350 in my 93 road master what would I have to do to keep it tbi after I turn it into a 383 and also what heads should I use?

Nice I like guys like you bro that point out what is right and wrong. It's nice to still have smart people left building internal combustion engines.

how mutch hp

did you put crank in with that pitting ? or had you cleaned it up and how did you go about that?

Great video !!!!!

Hey shanon, I don't think I explained my situation very well. Let me try again and see if this helps.
1. I have my dream car, 92 Camaro purple Z 28 factory four-speed. It has no engine but the transmission is there. It was a 5.0, so I know it will hold a SBC.
I also need body parts for my daughters 01 silverado. So I was thinking I could get 2things done for 1price.
So I'm looking to get a silverado with a vortec 5.3 and build that for my camaro, and use the body parts for her truck. And no I don't live in CA.
So what I need to know is,
Will a 5.3 vortec bolt up to my camaro'S manual trans?
Is a "truck engine" A good candidate for building a stroked?
Will the wiring be a pain in the butt?
And is there other problems that might arise for this project? Sorry for Taking so much of your time. I really appreciate your input.

I'd like to bounce a couple questions off of you. I'd like to put a Vortech 5.3 in the 92 Camaro. First do you see any problem with that secondly what I use the CAMARO wire harness or the donor truckharness? And is there any problem using the truck motor. And one more question, would 5.3 that had an automatic both up to my factory four-speed in the Camaro? Thanks a lot

Great job! Very well explained for us newbies

i know its an old video but you did a great job. it looks like the original builder did not clearance the crank or block. that crank looks shitty. i had many stock chevy cranks with over 70 to 100k miles that looked like new.

I use PTFE spray to lube the cylinder walls when i do dry fitting, easier to coat the whole bore and the teflon isn't wiped of as easily by the piston when moving upp and down.

if motors are electric why is it called general motors    you should digress LOL)

how much did the whole build cost?

personally in my opinion to the post before mine, a motor runs on electricity and engine runs on combustable fuel.

could all this be done with a lathe milling machine and welders

hey great videos one question do the 383 stroker have cam bearing?

nice floor for a shop. good video bro.

I like your comment motors are electric. They are hydraulic too !

Why are we checking the clearances of a used crank? Demonstration purposes?

Thank You So Much For this Sir. I am 17 and Learning how to build my own motor for the future, watching your videos help me with my List ! Thanks :)

you make great videos sir!!! cheers!!

you did plastigauge on 1/2 the main bearings, would you have to repeat the process for the other side (ie remove the crank and put plastigauge there?)

Hello, I wonder what is the best option for connecting rods ride a chevy 383, connecting rods 5.7 inch or 6.0 inch? Profile I or H? I will buy the rotary kit Scat, and the best option? I want to achieve a 450 hp. Thank you so much.

Just curious how you got the pitting out of the crank before you installed it.  I wouldn't think scotch brite would take care of that.

yes   lay your crank down on dry bearings and torque    there is no need to turn the crank for you are just going after clearance.   at least for the mains.    once mains have been found to be within tolerance  then lube bearings, reinstall and torque.   then you can proceed to check rods in the same fashion.      The clearance you read IS the oil clearance.  Otherwise you are getting a false reading

BTW    why would you install a POS crank back into an engine?

Never   repeat  NEVER  handle rod, main, or cam bearings with bare hands.    Disposable gloves are easy enough to come by.    Also apply lube to bearings with gloves on.      Do not lube the bearings when checking for clearance.  It will give you a false reading.  Once you have gauged the clearance and cleaned,  then apply assembly lube and install.   Thank you.

Hi, I'm in SD and looking for a honest/fair shop.  How much experience do you guys have with LS3 Vettes?

A Engine creates its own power. A motor takes power to create more power .that's the true difference, class is over..lol

dude please use a brass hammer your scaring the fudge outta me

I never recommend using old parts to build a motor cause of condition could cause engine failure if you build a motor spend the time and money to do it right

Very informative video !! Thanks

The wider the "sploodge" you say the tighter the clearance is, so if I were you I would go a little more to the middle of your gauge and you would have better oil flow. IMO.

I saw you said you could get a 4-bolt main 350 block for 250$...

Planning on building a 383 and I want a 4-bolt main that has roller cam provisions...

I still would have checked the centerline of the crank to rod bearings. Just like you would the cam bearings.

I also use an inside dial gage after the main bearings are torqued down. Then measure the crank journals for roundness. The difference in the size of the crank journal to the rod bearing is then checked again with plastic gage.

Thank you for your help, I will put the info to good use.

Well how about a 350 then, how can I build a 350 and get decent horse power for a street engine? I have the stock components......so what components can I re use and what will I need to purchase?

Your supposed to wipe all oil and grease off of the bearing caps when you plasticgauge, that way you get a more accurate reading.