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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Southern Idaho, USA | Hey guys, I'm hoping some of you can help me out with this. I just found a '60 Chrysler with a 383 in it in a junkyard; i am serious about getting the motor from it. It says "Golden Lion 383" on the valve covers. Its complete, top to bottom. Has a 2 barrel carb on it. From what i can tell (still in car) it has very little rust in the block.
I need some questions answered before i buy the motor;
I didnt know 383s were out in 1960 (how rare are these); is this a different version of the later 383s. Like for say, the 318 Polys vs. the later 318 la type?
So can this motor be easily rebuilt regarding parts availability for it?
Is this the RB or the other low-deck block? |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13078
   
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | You found a Windsor engine.
It's RB and not rare.
Yes it can be rebuilt.
For confirmation that it is the 60 RB engine post a photo of the left cylinder bank front where the stamped numbers are |
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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Southern Idaho, USA | To clarify, what i meant in terms of rebuilding is I'd like to know what kind of parts interchangeability there is for the 383 rb. Apparently the 383 rb was used only in Chryslers from 59-60; then on it went to the standard b-series 383. And thats all the parts I've been able to find is just for the b-series 383.
I'm on the fence of buying this motor i found due to this, now if i could find all the parts i need for it, or knew more about it, I'd have it right now as it seems like a pretty cool motor. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 340
Location: Tacoma, WA | The 383RB was the standard engine in the 1960 Windsor and Saratoga; two and four barrel versions respectively. Golden Lion was just a marketing term of the time. The reason behind the 383RB, which is really just a smaller-bore 413, is not very exciting, it came down to production capabilities, as described in several articles, like this one on Allpar. https://www.allpar.com/history/inside/plymouth-7a.html
(Which poses an interesting question, why pick 383?) Pistons are hard to come by. Even Egge currently only lists them for standard bore. So on mine, I'm hoping to be able salvage a block and pistons out of the two engines I have.
Edited by Dave L. 2020-01-01 1:32 AM
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10016
Location: So. Cal | I think pistons are the only issue with them. The 350 motor had a bore of 4.06, so you could use those with a .03" overbore. That's about perfect. However, the piston height may not be correct and I'm not sure how available those are either. If you offset grind the crank to give you more stroke, you may be able to make the piston height work out well. You'll have to calculate it out. Or you can use custom pistons for about $800. If you go to the trouble of going with custom pistons, you might as well stroke the crank using BB Chevy rods if you would like to get more cubic inches out of it. The nice thing about a long stroke 383 RB with the small bore is you can couple that with a very high rear gear or overdrive, and you can potentially get very good gas mileage out of the car, relative to the size of the motor. The long stroke gives you more low end torque that you would need to lumber around with high gears at very low rpm. Otherwise, you could install a 413 or 440 cheaper and few people would know the difference, with the resulting lower gas mileage. |
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Expert
Posts: 1224
Location: Ramona, CA | 58Jackie - 2019-12-31 2:43 PM
Hey guys, I'm hoping some of you can help me out with this. I just found a '60 Chrysler with a 383 in it in a junkyard; i am serious about getting the motor from it. It says "Golden Lion 383" on the valve covers. Its complete, top to bottom. Has a 2 barrel carb on it. From what i can tell (still in car) it has very little rust in the block.
I need some questions answered before i buy the motor;
I didnt know 383s were out in 1960 (how rare are these); is this a different version of the later 383s. Like for say, the 318 Polys vs. the later 318 la type?
So can this motor be easily rebuilt regarding parts availability for it?
Is this the RB or the other low-deck block?
Like mentioned above, it would have come in a Windsor. What's left of the rest of the car and what body style is it? I'm looking for some wagon parts.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 531
Location: Park Hills, KY | Gee....good thing my 60 Windsor only has 43K miles on it. Sounds like it won't be easy to rebuild if I ever have an issue. |
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Expert
Posts: 1224
Location: Ramona, CA | Cmangeot - 2020-01-02 10:46 AM
Gee....good thing my 60 Windsor only has 43K miles on it. Sounds like it won't be easy to rebuild if I ever have an issue.
If you maintain it, it should last forever. |
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10016
Location: So. Cal | Running the right fuel ratio will help the rings the most. That's one of the benefits of fuel injection, to better ensure that. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 906
Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon | 58Jackie - 2019-12-31 8:10 PM
To clarify, what i meant in terms of rebuilding is I'd like to know what kind of parts interchangeability there is for the 383 rb. Apparently the 383 rb was used only in Chryslers from 59-60; then on it went to the standard b-series 383. And thats all the parts I've been able to find is just for the b-series 383.
I'm on the fence of buying this motor i found due to this, now if i could find all the parts i need for it, or knew more about it, I'd have it right now as it seems like a pretty cool motor.
Unless you are looking this engine for use in a pre-62 car then what is the appeal? There are still plenty of 400 and 440 engines to be found.
As mentioned, the biggest hurdle in rebuilding is getting pistons and forgings are the only reasonable option IMHO. RockAuto probably has most of the remaining rebuild parts. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13078
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | My 383 engine has roundabout 160k now and still running good.
As Nick wrote - maintainence is the key. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7529
Location: northern germany | NicksGarage - 2020-01-02 1:57 PM
Cmangeot - 2020-01-02 10:46 AM
Gee....good thing my 60 Windsor only has 43K miles on it. Sounds like it won't be easy to rebuild if I ever have an issue.
If you maintain it, it should last forever.
Correct |
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Expert 5K+ Passed away 30th Sept 2024. You will be missed Chuck!
Posts: 8954
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | do yourself a favor , unless you're wanting to build a points car go with a B-383 setup . you will be glad to did! ----------------------------------------------------------later |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 531
Location: Park Hills, KY | I change plugs and oil every 2000 miles. Let’s hope that helps. ?? |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7529
Location: northern germany | Cmangeot - 2020-01-05 2:43 PM
I change plugs and oil every 2000 miles. Let’s hope that helps. ??
That is a "bit" much! Use quality synthetic oil, let it always reach operating temperature and change every 6-8k. Also everytime you change the filter, it runs for several seconds without oil pressure. Very bad. I change the oil every 2 years or so, way above 8k between changes, yet I always build up oil pressure with an electric dill before I start it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 531
Location: Park Hills, KY | Great advice. |
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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Southern Idaho, USA | wayfarer - 2020-01-02 3:24 PM
58Jackie - 2019-12-31 8:10 PM
To clarify, what i meant in terms of rebuilding is I'd like to know what kind of parts interchangeability there is for the 383 rb. Apparently the 383 rb was used only in Chryslers from 59-60; then on it went to the standard b-series 383. And thats all the parts I've been able to find is just for the b-series 383.
I'm on the fence of buying this motor i found due to this, now if i could find all the parts i need for it, or knew more about it, I'd have it right now as it seems like a pretty cool motor.
Unless you are looking this engine for use in a pre-62 car then what is the appeal? There are still plenty of 400 and 440 engines to be found.
As mentioned, the biggest hurdle in rebuilding is getting pistons and forgings are the only reasonable option IMHO. RockAuto probably has most of the remaining rebuild parts.
Well i was planning to put this motor into my 58 Belvedere, as i think this motor would be a little bit closer to original than a 440 from the 60s or 70s. But since you guys informed me that this 383 is going to be a bit of a challenge with the bottom end, i think i'll just stay with the 440. |
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Regular
Posts: 58
Location: League City, TX | You may want the crank out of the 383, if you are looking to mate your 440 to a push button transmission. |
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1960 Chrysler 383 questions
