As some may have read I recently picked up my dads old car that he had when I was a kid. It’s a matching numbers 383 car that had been sitting for years. I’m wanting to have the engine rebuilt and gone through and freshend up just for my piece of mind and for the longevity on the engine. I would like to possibly throw in a small cam while we’re at it. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to go with and what supporting mods? or possibly a video clip of your car? Also what are some things that you would highly recommend doing since the car has been sitting? I’m new to the Mopar world so any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated
Rebuilding 383...cam suggestions
- Thread starter Jeffm
- Start date
You're opening Pandora's box with a camshaft question on an internet car forum....
Ask 10 people and you will get 42 different answers. And almost anyone that ever pulled a valve cover off of an engine is convinced that he is an expert on the matter.
The best possible advice for camshaft selection is to simply consult with whoever will be building your engine - as I assume that you will not be doing this yourself. Tell them what you are looking for and let them match the components and steer you in the right direction.
You could also send a PM to IQ52 on here. He hasn't been on in a while, but he might reply. His name is Jim LaRoy and he is a professional Mopar engine builder.
Ask 10 people and you will get 42 different answers. And almost anyone that ever pulled a valve cover off of an engine is convinced that he is an expert on the matter.
The best possible advice for camshaft selection is to simply consult with whoever will be building your engine - as I assume that you will not be doing this yourself. Tell them what you are looking for and let them match the components and steer you in the right direction.
You could also send a PM to IQ52 on here. He hasn't been on in a while, but he might reply. His name is Jim LaRoy and he is a professional Mopar engine builder.
Russ69Runner
Well-Known Member
Well just to clear the air. If you want a good driver and not a race car. Would suggest a mild street cam. This will make the motor preform a little better. More air in and out of the motor and a little more HP. You won't have to mess with any thing else on the car and stay pretty much stock. It will still Idle well when stopped. If you do take it to the shop to be worked on then let them tell you what the motor need's. If the motor is very old it can develop a ring crust at the top that has to be cut out. Also the cylinder wall's could be tapered. The head's need to be checked also. If you need new valves and spring's. What the shape of the crank shaft is in as far as wear. New crank bearings and cam should be done. Don't just build the top of the motor do top and bottom. If it has a lot of miles on it would suggest new timing gears and chain. New oil pump would be a good thing also. So I have rebuilt many motor's and still rely on the machine shop to do some of the work for me. Then assemble the motor my self at home to save that money. That is if your good with your hand's and have the tool's. The back part of the B body Restoration book's is pretty good. U Tube has some video's on rebuilding mopar motor's. So I am not a valve cover puller. My grand father was a mechanic and he learned his son's and they learned their boy's. So have fun and look around ask some friend's if they know of a good machine shop in your area. 
Russ69Runner
Well-Known Member
Just to say line boring and milling the block and heads takes special equipment that cost a lot of money. So that is why you need the machine shop. Also the crank lathe is special equipment. They cost a lot of money. So you will need the machine shop for that work. 
69hemibeep
Sponge Bob Square Wheels
1. What do you want it to do
2. Budget
3. Intake, headers?
Your engine builder needs to know. Also it is real easy to over cam a motor.
2. Budget
3. Intake, headers?
Your engine builder needs to know. Also it is real easy to over cam a motor.
RAINMANYEH
Well-Known Member
Agree with above.... it really depends on where you want to go with the build? Are you looking for more of a cruiser or something with a little more grunt?
CompSyn
Well-Known Member
Numbers matching engine... If you're doing a mostly stock type rebuild with stock exhaust manifolds, a very good choice, if not the best choice in my opinion is the Bob Karakashian Mr.6Pack camshaft. This is what's going into my numbers matching 383. Hopefully I'll be able to post a video clip of it running soon...
69hemibeep
Sponge Bob Square Wheels
Being that cam is designed for a 440 6bbl it should make a fun cam in a 383.
CompSyn
Well-Known Member
Yes, they say it idles like Grandma's 318 2bbl in a 440. So I'm hoping for a little extra romp in the 383. Can't wait to post a video clip of it...
Russ69Runner
Well-Known Member
Glad to see your back working on the runner.
droptop
Well-Known Member
I agree 100% I put one in my 71 383 last fall and it was the single best improvement I made. Good vacuum at idle for accessories. Sorry Ray, but that’s 2 votes for the cam. LOL.
That is the same cam that I put in Bambi - with 1.6 rockers - so I too am a fan in a stock application.
I was merely trying to enlighten the OP as to the pitfalls of soliciting this type of advice on an internet forum. Perilous slope for the uninitiated...
mr4speed
Well-Known Member
when l was using my bird for the street and track the best one that work for me the stock avs 460 cfm rejetted on a dp4b elderbrock intake with hemi grind cam with hooker headers 355 gears with 7" slicks perfect combo shifted at 5500 went through the traps 5500. all I had to do was change tires. I use to love it when other guys use to pull up next to me with 12" slicks and look down at at the skinny slicks I would just s-m-i-l-e ! Remember bigger is not always better. Stay safe mr4sp