[Ron Morgan (Cartman)]

is there a difference in the intake sizes and the exhaust sizes between a 383 big block,and a 440 big block?.sorry to be dumb,but just been offered a 440 big block and a 2 speed box,but want to rebuild it and put in my 383 chally at end of the year,but want to keep the same intake if poss..
just for your amusement,the 440 block is currently fitted into a fiat 500!!jag rear,tubbed,roll caged,full chassis,..should be fun..

[Shawn (Underdog)]

Thats a good question because I was wondering almost the same thing. I have a 318 and a 360 and I was wondering if my cool stuff "intake exhaust and valve covers" will swap over. So far I am geting the impresion that small blocks are small blocks and big blocks are big blocks. so its all good.

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

No. A 383 intake will not fit a 440 without spacer plates betwen the intake and the heads.

A 440 is a 'RB' (Raised Block) engine. It is taller than a 383 so the heads are further apart.

I think you are ok with small block (LA) engines/intakes. You just have to make sure the intake runners match the ports in the head.

[Joel Bennett (Joel)]

How much lighter are 383's than 440's? I had the chance to drop a 383 into my car. However, I worry about losing the nimbleness that small blocks offer. I hear that 383 can make a pretty mean race engine, becuase of its smaller stroke.

[Hans Buijnink (72challeng]

Shawn, about the smallblocks; all 273, 318, 340 & 360 engines can use the same intake. But check the size of the ports. They DO differ between the different engines. For example a 273 manifold would fit a 340 but it would be no good for the performance cause of the 273 ports which are quite smaller.

[Ron Morgan (Cartman)]

cheers dave,ill either do up the 440 and get spacer plates,and keep my tunnel ram set up to go on it,or sell the 440. ill see what way to go when i have a good lokk at it later, collected it today,got with the fiat a rover v8 which it originally ran with,so im putting that back in anyway, the 440 has on it apparently a 2 speed box,but one thing i noticed is that the dizzy is at the back...i thought all were at the front,i will look at the engine and get all the numbers etc then ask your advice.

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

It is not a 440 Ron.

[Robbert D 70'Chally (]

Joel, I found a raised bigblock (413/426/440)is about 50 pounds heavier than the lower versions (361/383/400). (620 and 670 pounds).
Don Dulmage says:
"The 383 will make serious HP but will do it at a higher RPM than the 440. That is because the 440 and the 383 use the same heads and similar intakes and so are capable of passing exactly the same amount of air. (Same heads, carb and intake = same amount of air) For a 383 to pump the same amount of air as a 440 it would have to turn 115% higher".
(115% higher must be 15% higher don't we think).
Biggest concern: Valve clearance is more critical in a 383.

BTW, a small block would save you an extra 100 pounds: 525lbs. Which is just as heavy as a slant six.
Hemi? 765lbs!
Now don't ask me if these weights include peripheral parts like waterpumps and or intakes.

[Joel Bennett (Joel)]

Well, that certainly answered my question, and a few others. Valve clearance isn't that big of a problem, if you buy the correct valvetrain specifically designed for the 383, correct?

[Ron Morgan (Cartman)]

hi dave,numbers not tooo clear but-
c318 8-15 256030b187
carter 2bl carb 0-2320. manifold 2468980-3.

so iam i to assume is a 318 small block.
oil filter is on rear left bottom,(looking from the front)dizzy on the rear top.plugs set at funny angles,..

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

Looks like a 318 to me. A 440 would look very much like your own engine. Same distributor location, same type of water pump etc.

[Joel Bennett (Joel)]

What's the engine in in the picture?

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

[Ron Morgan (Cartman)]

A 318 we think joel..

[Roger Bettoni (Roger)]

Love the caption Dave...

[Jeff Brown (Jeff)]

I know that look! "sometimes I just dispair" Hey Ron you are very local to me, I am in Royston. Have we met?

[Joel Bennett (Joel)]

Let me re phrase that, what kind of a vehicle is the 318 in!

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

Read the very first post at the top of the thread Joel!

[Joel Bennett (Joel)]

With out the lid on it, it looks more like an old compact truck, than a Fiat 500, with a big block stuffed into it.

Sorry Dave, I've been really tired lately, so my skills of observation are suffering a bit.

[Ron Morgan (Cartman)]

hi jeff,yes,v.near-hertford.go to members pics for "rons 72 pro street",weve poss met,but no doubt soon will.ive enclosed another piccy for joel. taking the block out this weekend,and will have a good look at it.

[Robbert D 70'Chally (]

The weigth of these Fiats, with their original engine is just about 1100 pounds! (500kgs). (the 440 weighs 670 pounds, how much is a 727?). I am sure it must be fun to fool around with such a vehicle, would love to see one of those.
Here's a pic for you Ron. The suicide doors show this one is a pre-1965 model.

[Ron Morgan (Cartman)]

cheers robert,ace piccy....the weight factor is a little worry for me,as when it was on the road(yes it was once,)it apparently lifted the front end all the time due to the torque and the g/box strait onto the jag rear,hence why it has wheelie bars now.current details are-full roll cage,tube and box chassis,jag independant much shortened rear axle,2 speed torqueflite box,318 dodge(but changing to rover v8)viva front,centreline rear wheels 15x8,.the rover has burton heads,eldebrock manifold,holley carb,and will have a 250hp nos plate .anyway ,enough of this,its a chally page..

[Ron Morgan (Cartman)]

i just met the bloke who donated the engine, it is in fact a 318 smallblock,out of a 71 dodge dart...so now i know...will be on the selling page soon as i get it out..

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

I thought you knew it was a 318 when you got the serial number?

All small blocks have their size stamped with a serial number on the front drivers side just under the head. Your number started C318 yes? I thought you had realised that when you saw it.