Can anyone tell from the pic whether this is a 318 or 383?
318 or 383?
- Thread starter Clay Harrison
- Start date
jct
Senior Member
383
What year is it?
What year is it?
Always look at the distributor. If it's on the front it's a big block: 350, 361, 383, 400, 413, 426 wedge, 426 hemi, or a 440.
If it's on the rear it's a small block: 273, 318, 340, or a 360. Could also be a block that preceded the LA series of motors.
Once that simple indicator is established it's just a matter of learning which one of the family members you have. The task is a little easier when dealing with the RBs as opposed to the Bs, as the former have a "slab" (can't think of the correct term" that is right in front of the distributor that does not exist on the B motors. On that slab the engine size is stamped.
I agree with JCT - 383.
If it's on the rear it's a small block: 273, 318, 340, or a 360. Could also be a block that preceded the LA series of motors.
Once that simple indicator is established it's just a matter of learning which one of the family members you have. The task is a little easier when dealing with the RBs as opposed to the Bs, as the former have a "slab" (can't think of the correct term" that is right in front of the distributor that does not exist on the B motors. On that slab the engine size is stamped.
I agree with JCT - 383.
It's a 66 and the VIN says 318 but it sure looks big in the pic? I guess it could even be a 440 if it's swapped?
Newport 66
Old Man with a Hat
Look below and to the left of the distributor as you're facing the engine . There's a flat boss on the block that will have the engine size and other data stamped on it. It could even be a 361.
Newport 66
Old Man with a Hat
Definitely the "B" engine series. As noted above by the location of the distributor in the front.
Mike66Chryslers
Senior Member
The RB-blocks have a stamping plate on the front of the engine on the drivers side. There's usually little in the way, so it's easy to see and read the engine displacement. The B-blocks have a stamping plate too, but it's on the passenger side, underneath the distributor body which partially obscures it.
That car came from the factory with a Poly 318, quick ID on the Poly 318 is it will usually have 2 bolt valve covers in addition to the rear mounted distributor.. As noted it now has "B" series engine.
Dave
All I have is the picture. It's a parts car I'd like to buy....
The 361 and 383 were both good engines, but if you are going to spend a bunch of money to rebuild the engine it would make more sense to do it with a 383. See if you can get the seller to scrape the crud off the boss under the distributor to determine the engine size.
Dave
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
It's definitely a low deck engine 350-400
It has the '64-'66 style valve covers with the early style PCV, so it is likely the engine was from that range. I doubt it was a 350 as that engine was set up to mount to the older power-flite transmission and was very difficult if not impossible to mount to a modern torque-flite. If the engine is a later 400 with the older valve covers, it would likely still have the spread bore intake for the thermo quad carb. (Could also be a straight 2 BBL)
Dave
Dave
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We'll see. I'd like to get my hands on it for parts if the price was right...
rkrochen
Senior Member
Looks like a 66 Sport Fury and it would be a bit of a shame to part this out. There were only 3418 of these made. Most of them were crushed due to rust primarily in the trunk area.
Would the 350s and pre-'65 361s have the early-style 4-bolt valve covers (similar to small block Chevy engines) rather than the later ones with additional bolt holes on the outer corner-ends?
The B 350 Sport Fury Engine would have been a 2x4bbl engine, as I recall. First year was 1958? Which would have meant cast iron TF-capable?
The B 350 Sport Fury Engine would have been a 2x4bbl engine, as I recall. First year was 1958? Which would have meant cast iron TF-capable?
'62 and later bolt up, '61 and earlier do not. There was a cast iron 3 speed TorqueFlight transmission similar internally to the aluminum TorqueFlight except that the bands and clutch packs were of less durable material and the transmission lacked a park gear. There was also the two speed PowerFight transmission. The two applications overlapped some Cast Iron TorqueFlight '56-'61, PowerFlight '54-'61. To answer the question, the 350 was probably compatible with both although for performance applications such as the golden commando with the 2x4 setup, the 3 speed TorqueFlight was a must. Would have expected to find the lower cost PowerFlight available on lesser applications.
Dave
It's pretty well trashed! and I could use the parts on mine....
rkrochen
Senior Member
Wish it was across the line I could probably look at getting some parts. Does it have power windows.
Did you find an ad or why do you think this is a sport fury. Furys that year all share the same body.
Dave
rkrochen
Senior Member
It’s tough to tell with this pic but I am looking at the drivers door trim. There are spears on it which I think were specific to the Sport Fury. I could possibly be wrong maybe someone else can chime in.
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