has the screaming deal really got a 383 in it!

[grumpyvette]

OK, you get a screaming deal on a project Z, the guy says its a 383, but is it, can you test that without engine disassembly, and testing sure costs less than find you bought a 283, or 307 after the guys long gone with your cash

 

YES,YOU CAN!, but the current owner MAY not allow you to test it, ......and it will cost you a small bit of change, remove the valve cover on the drivers side and rockers from #1 cylinder

 

 

buy this CHEAP test kit, remove the inner valve from the spark plug adaptor and connect a 2 ft extension hose, of clear flex fuel line,

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95187

 

connect the free end of the hose into a measuring cup marked in ML (metric)

 

Measuring liquids in milliliters is easy. Every liquid measuring cup I've ever seen always has a metric scale on at least one side. In the picture, from left to right, 250 ml, 1 l, and 500 ml. DOLLAR STORES carry plastic versions for under $3

 

bring the #1 cylinder to TDC, remove the sparkplug and replace with the adapter, and measuring cup, fill those with marvel mystery oil and run the cylinder to BDC and up to TDC at least twice BYE HAND SLOWLY, so your sucking in and pushing out oil and air, bring the #1 to TDC, fill the MEASURING cylinder to the top line then turn the engine to BDC, record the difference in measuring cylinder volume in CCs

 

one liter =1000 milliliters

one liter=61 cubic inches

 

307= 38.375 cubic inches or 630 ccs

 

350=43.75 cubic inches or 717 ccs

 

383=47.875 cubic inches or 800ccs

 

and once your done, remove and replace the necessary parts and test equipment except for the spark plug, start and run the engine with it out , let it run 30 seconds to slightly over 1 minute, (yeah noisy and messy),

but you won,t hurt squat, shut it down after 1 minute and replace the sparkplug, it will smoke for a couple minutes but it will quickly clear

Edited September 1, 2009 by grumpyvette

[rustorbust]

HAHA, I would like to know how many people selling their cars would actually let you do that. LOL Never thought of that though.....pretty cool

[dsommer]

Grumpy,

 

can you update this post as the second HF link is dead

 

Thanks,

David

[John Scott]

I've used a real simple test, if sparkplug hole allows, by sticking a long plastic or wooden dowel down into the cylinder and measured the difference in exposed length between BDC and TDC. Won't indicate bore, but accurate enough to tell if the measurement is closer to 3.48" or 3.75" of stroke.

[dsommer]

Actually I'm trying to figure out if the engine is a 302 or a 327. Makes it a bit more difficult.