Hi Everyone! Been awhile since I have be on. I just purchased a 1988? block (casting no. 14093638) 1-piece rear seal, factory roller cam. This block has mounting provisions for a mechanical fuel pump and has the push-rod hole. I would like to use this block to build a 383 or 388 stroker motor - nothing exotic but with a stout bottom end.
Just a few questions before I start work on the build-up. Will this block bolt into my 69 Camaro and use the original aluminum bell housing with 4 speed transmission? Will the Edelbrock aluminum Performer RPM heads from my 69, 350 block fit on the new block. What is the largest, safe, over-bore for this block? (It might have to go to + .060 over!)

Thanks in advance for all your help!
pet_mich

pet,

That block should be ok. Everything you asked will work ok but you will have to use the correct flywheel for the one pc seal crankshaft. .060" should be fine as long as you are not trying to make 1000 hp :)

Also, if it is a 1988 block, and you want to use the factory roller parts, make sure it actually is a roller block. If it came out of a car, with a roller cam, then obviously it will be ok.

But......... if it was out of a truck and did not have a roller cam in it, take a good look at the lifter bores. If they are the same size ID all the way to the top, then you should be ok with the factory roller lifters. If the top 1/4 inch or so of the lifter bore is a larger ID than the rest, you cannot use factory hydraulic roller lifters in it, you will have to use the retrofit $$$$$ type lifters.

Thanks Bill

The lifter bores are the same diameter all the way thru. The block has three, taped holes down the center of the lifter valley, probably used for some type of lifter retention device. (I have never seen the insides of a 1 piece rear seal block before) What I am looking to get from the motor is about 450/450 horsepower and torque for a stout steet motor. If anyone has a suggestion for a balanced, rotating assembly I would appreciated. My budget for crank, rods, pistions is $1100.00 max. I will also be interested in any cam selection advice that would build the kind to performance I am looking for. The heads have 64cc chambers and I sould be able to live with 9.5 - 10.0 compression on the street.

Thanks Bill

The lifter bores are the same diameter all the way thru. The block has three, taped holes down the center of the lifter valley, probably used for some type of lifter retention device. (I have never seen the insides of a 1 piece rear seal block before) What I am looking to get from the motor is about 450/450 horsepower and torque for a stout steet motor. If anyone has a suggestion for a balanced, rotating assembly I would appreciated. My budget for crank, rods, pistions is $1100.00 max. I will also be interested in any cam selection advice that would build the kind to performance I am looking for. The heads have 64cc chambers and I sould be able to live with 9.5 - 10.0 compression on the street. Thanks again for everyones help.
pet_mich