383 "hp"?

[Mr.Joshua]

383 "hp"?

Hey guys. Wonder if anyone could help me with a quick question that I can't seem to get answered by internet searching my brains out.

Just got a new toy (project) in the garage and its a bit of a Frankenstein. Its a '68 Charger that was originally a 318/auto that was pulled in want of a 383/4-speed. I figured out that the tranny is a 1970 (7-17-1969) and the 383 is a '61 (9-28-1960). I got the initial motor ID from the normal block stamp. The other ID stamp right under the distributor reads R38-127 which means R=1961 and 38=383 while 127 is January 27th. But there was also a big "HP" stamped there and that obviously is High Performance. This site explains it a bit.

My question is what was done to these motors to get that High Performance stamp?

Funny enough, my dad used to own a 383 HP and, to his knowledge, they had solid lifters and higher compression. But I would really like to find something more definitive on what exactly was done at the factory to make the "HP" version of the 383 different from the garden variety.

- - - Updated - - -

Here's a picture, FWIW.

 

[moparmarks]

HP motors got different carb, cam, valve springs, exhaust manifolds, windage tray. Block and heads are the same as non-HP motors.

 

[PettyBlue72]

I believe HP 383 have forged steel cranks as well. I know my 66 383 HP has a steel crank.

Hope this helps,
Joe

 

[moparmarks]

Actually all 383's had forged cranks except the 71 383 LP 2-bbl w/ auto.

 

[detmatt1]

We're talking '61 here and I'm thinking no windage tray. Probably cam, lifters and multi carbs.

 

[Seax440Dodge]

early 383 HP's came w/ the 300J head + dual quad's

 

[moparmarks]

Ya I'm thinking later 60's.

 

[69Bee]

early 383 HP's came w/ the 300J head + dual quad's

Exactly, dual In-Line quads (and 300j heads for the HP rating of 343 Horsepower. ref Mopar Engines 1989

 

[Mr.Joshua]

Thanks for the info so far. Next step is finding out what heads are on this thing. I'm totally new in the BB scene.

 

[Mr.Joshua]

Was hoping for stock heads but in true Frankenstein fashion, these are 906 heads (2.08/1.74) from a 68-70 383/440. Maybe a tell that it was rebuilt at some point. Casting on the drivers side head under the valve cover reads 28439062 and 10127.

 

[A383Wing]

nothing wrong with 906 heads...probably the second best head out there next to the 915's

 

[Meep-Meep]

X2 A383.

Wow, you have an antique 383! The HP version is nothing too crazy except the dual quads. The cam was very mild - nothing like the Road Runner cam used in the late 60's.

 

[Mr.Joshua]

nothing wrong with 906 heads...probably the second best head out there next to the 915's

Well then, good to know. Thanks.

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X2 A383.

Wow, you have an antique 383! The HP version is nothing too crazy except the dual quads. The cam was very mild - nothing like the Road Runner cam used in the late 60's.

Yeah I know. When I first started looking into the castings and saw the the '60 stamp, I was a little shocked. My Uncle happened to be over at the time and his response was "I didn't even know they made 383s in 1960".

 

[Photon440]

Allpar has some info on versions of the early engines here, Mr.Joshua:
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/b-engines.html

 

[Meep-Meep]

And it might be safe to say that nothing original remains on that engine. Does it have the iron adjustable rockers? Or stamped steel?