How to Rebuild a 383 Stroker Engine

The Chevrolet 350 has been installed in vehicles since 1967. Due to the popularity of the 350 engines, they are frequently rebuilt and modified. One of the rebuild options for the 350 is to rebuild it as a 383 stroker. To achieve the 383 inches of displacement, the 350 must be bored and stroked. Worn engines lack power and torque. Worn engine bearings produce a loud knocking sound. Piston rings that are damaged allow oil to escape the cylinder, producing smoke from the exhaust. Old worn engines become inefficient and unreliable. Rebuilding the engine will restore the running condition back to new. Rebuilding the engine yourself is a good way to see what is powering your vehicle. When rebuilding the engine, you will have the option to upgrade the internal engine components to better suit your needs.

Instructions

1

Bolt the engine to the engine stand. Remove the timing cover and the timing set. Unbolt the intake and lift the intake off of the engine. Remove the valve covers to access the cylinder heads. Remove the rocker arm nuts, rocker arms and push rods. Remove the cylinder head bolts and the cylinder heads. Remove the lifters and the camshaft. Rotate the engine block and remove the oil pan and oil pump. Remove the main cap bolts and the main caps. Remove the piston rod cap nuts and the piston rod caps. Remove the crankshaft from the engine block. Remove the pistons from the engine block cylinders.

2

Spray the engine block with the degreaser. Wipe the engine block clean with the shop rag. Examine the engine deck surface, cylinders and camshaft bearings for signs of wear or damage. Hone the cylinders with the hone; a cross-hatch pattern is desired during honing. Verify the condition of the cylinder heads. Examine the pistons for signs of rod wear, or scoring of the piston head. Replace any components that are worn or damaged.

3

Place the camshaft in the center of the engine block. Install the new main bearings in the engine block. Install the new bearings in the main caps. Apply a thick layer of assembly lube to the surface of the new bearings. Set the crankshaft on the new bearings in the engine block. Place the main caps in the correct order. Use the torque wrench and the correct socket for bolt installation. Tighten the main cap bolts to manufacturer's torque specifications. Install the oil pump and oil pump bolt.

4

Rotate the engine to access the top side of the engine block. Install the timing gears, timing chain and timing cover. Install the three piston rings per each piston. Compress the piston rings on the piston with the piston ring compressor. Install the pistons in the cylinders. Guide the piston rods to prevent damage to the crankshaft journals.

5

Rotate the engine block upside down. Install the piston rod and piston rod cap bearings. Apply a thick layer of assembly lube to the surface of the rod bearings. Install the piston rod caps and the piston rod nuts. Tighten the piston rod nuts to the manufacturers torque specifications. Install the oil pan gasket and the oil pan. Tighten the oil pan bolts to the required specifications.

6

Rotate the engine to access the intake side. Install the head gasket and the cylinder head. Repeat the cylinder head installation for the opposite side of the engine. Tighten the cylinder head bolts to the required torque specifications and the proper sequence. Install the lifters, push rods and rocker arms. Place the rocker arm nuts on the rocker arm studs and set the valve lash. Install the intake gasket and intake. Tighten the intake bolts to manufacturer's specifications. Set the valve covers with new gaskets on the cylinder heads. Tighten the valve covers to prevent oil seepage.