Confused about motor is it a 383 or 400

[Radical Fred]

I recently removed the motor from my 66 fury3 as I had another 383 built and stroked to a 496 with aluminum heads and intake. The casting on what I thought was a 383 comes up as 3614230 built 9/16/71 and heads are 2843906-11. when I google the numbers I get a 383 or a 400 heavy web block. how do I know which it is?

 

[polara71]

I could be talking out of school but the date of 9/16/71 tells me it is not a 383. By then there was no more 383s being built.

What does it say on the distributor pad?

 

[Vaanth]

I recently removed the motor from my 66 fury3 as I had another 383 built and stroked to a 496 with aluminum heads and intake. The casting on what I thought was a 383 comes up as 3614230 built 9/16/71 and heads are 2843906-11. when I google the numbers I get a 383 or a 400 heavy web block. how do I know which it is?

View attachment 723909

The pictured engine block with casting number 3614230 is a 400 and with a casting date of 9/16/71 is probably a 1972 400. As mentioned, the pad next to the distributor will yield more information, but should have "H400" stamped for 1972 with other numbers.

Block casting 3614230 was also used in a limited production run of 400-two barrel 1971 Newports, but would likely have an earlier casting date, depending on when 1971 production ended. A 1971 400 will have "G400" stamped on the distributor pad. Reference: Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 71-9-8, April 13, 1971.

 

[413]

Your 1972 400 was Cast September 17, 1971. Look below distributor for the machining date and the 400 stamped there.

They stopped building 1971 cars near end of July 1971

 

[Toolmanmike]

I recently removed the motor from my 66 fury3 as I had another 383 built and stroked to a 496 with aluminum heads and intake. The casting on what I thought was a 383 comes up as 3614230 built 9/16/71 and heads are 2843906-11. when I google the numbers I get a 383 or a 400 heavy web block. how do I know which it is?

View attachment 723909

It's a 71-72 400 block. 383's ended in 71 and their casting number was 2468130. See the difference in sequence? The 383 castings were around a lot earlier and are a lower number.

 

[Radical Fred]

Being a 71 400 heavy web block would it have came out of a road runner?

 

[Big_John]

Being a 71 400 heavy web block would it have came out of a road runner?

They are nick named "cold weather block".

I don't know anything more about them, but I'm thinking truck engine.

There should be a VIN stamped on the side of the block. What does that say?

 

[Toolmanmike]

Being a 71 400 heavy web block would it have came out of a road runner?

I don't think all 400's were the heavy webbed block. You'll have to search for that information.

 

[Radical Fred]

I could be talking out of school but the date of 9/16/71 tells me it is not a 383. By then there was no more 383s being built.

What does it say on the distributor pad?

Distributor pad just says 400 no letter and after degreasing the motor it is 7/16/71 not that that makes much difference.

 

[Toolmanmike]

Distributor pad just says 400 no letter and after degreasing the motor it is 7/16/71 not that that makes much difference.

See post#5. I looked up your casting number and it's a 400.

 

[polara71]

Distributor pad just says 400 no letter and after degreasing the motor it is 7/16/71 not that that makes much difference.

Yeah the 383s were done by then. I'd probably prefer the 400 anyway.

 

[Radical Fred]

thanks, I am going to regasket the motor and give it a fresh coat of paint and put it up for sale. Motor ran great just had a couple of minor weeps.

 

[69CoronetRT]

Have you had a chance to look at the VIN on the passenger's side? That will help tell us what it came out of.

 

[Radical Fred]

Hi, please point out where I find this vin# as nothing is evident!

 

[Toolmanmike]

Hi, please point out where I find this vin# as nothing is evident!

View attachment 724375

See post #4

 

[Radical Fred]

See post #4

only thing by distributor is 400 nothing else, and nothing is evident by pan rail unless covered in paint. motor has atleast 2 coats of paint.

 

[Big_John]

Hi, please point out where I find this vin# as nothing is evident!

View attachment 724375

Should be right here. If it's not stamped, it could be a replacement block.

 

[Radical Fred]

Should be right here. If it's not stamped, it could be a replacement block.

View attachment 724480

I will buff the paint off and take a closer look. Thanks!

 

[Radical Fred]

I will buff the paint off and take a closer look. Thanks!

Nothing there must be a replacement block

 

[Toolmanmike]

Nothing there must be a replacement block

View attachment 724555

That it is.