My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bodyworks · 07-10-2011, 10:00 PM

Well here it is at 8000 miles! What a beautiful site, no really it is. This engine had timing issues from day one, No not the typical bonehead stuff but real issues. It suffered from cam walk, it would lose 10* timing and all because of cam walk as it warmed up you could hear it change timing. Was the block expanding because of lack of nickel and tin, who knows?? Discovered this when disassembling it. The timing chain was roller chain that you can find on many pieces of farm machinery. The cam walk measured 1/8", great. The block gave way at 10.30 at night on my way home from work,awesome. Yes this 383ht was new when installed 2 years ago with new distributer and mellonized gear. It never was hot nor abused, and GM claims never to have had issues with this type of motor, Even more great! Well I thought I would share this with all of you so becareful. No more GM performance for me.

J Knight · 07-10-2011, 10:05 PM

Sorry to hear about your motor.
Congratulations on your new found boat anchor.

spudz · 07-10-2011, 10:05 PM

Rip

1986c10 · 07-10-2011, 10:07 PM

dear god that is awful. sorry for your loss

bodyworks · 07-10-2011, 10:08 PM

Does this mean I need a boat?

Mrtn15 · 07-10-2011, 10:11 PM

I want the body of your truck(:
Posted via Mobile Device

VA72C10 · 07-10-2011, 10:13 PM

Man, that stinks. Sorry about that.

J Knight · 07-10-2011, 10:16 PM

Ofcourse, new motor to haul your new boat and new anchor! LOL

All kidding aside thats messed up, GM should warranty that motor.

iroc12valve · 07-10-2011, 10:17 PM

If they'd written on it in English it would still be running.

Your41Plague12 · 07-10-2011, 10:18 PM

GM should definitely cover that. That's awful. By the way, I agree with iroc12valve's comment!

bodyworks · 07-10-2011, 11:57 PM

Nope warranty denied engine is out of it because of time.

Pop's C-10 · 07-11-2011, 12:01 AM

Poor block

meter swinger · 07-11-2011, 12:06 AM

Holy molten lava batman. That looks like whats left of the reactor core at chernobyl. You sure the rods wern't made out of plutonium? Maybe it was time to scram that sucker anyway. Hope it was fun

Posted via Mobile Device

MalibuSSwagon · 07-11-2011, 12:11 AM

You seem to be missing a piston...or is that it all over the oil pickup

bodyworks · 07-11-2011, 12:11 AM

No fun, I'll some photos of the mill soon. It's a killer 427 small block from Pro formance Unlimited. Only got 200 miles on it so far. WOW does it run awesome.

manimal · 07-11-2011, 12:59 AM

3rd pic says it all. I totally stay away from the mexican blocks/heads. They are thinner castings from what I have seen.

*JCampbell* · 07-11-2011, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manimal

3rd pic says it all.

EXACTLY what I was going to post.

*C-10 simplex* · 07-11-2011, 10:23 AM

Oh no!; This is one of the engines i was considering.

What mpg did you get?

Here is what happened with my crate 350 meximotor:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422799

i don't know if it was my fault----replaced right bank head gasket due to misdiagnoisis of another problem(head gasket wasn't the problem----faulty trans vacuum modulator was---thus leaking into intake and causing smoke out the right pipe) and possibly didn't not seal the bolts properly (not sure how or why of this) OR the engine was just junk.

a) i was not the original owner and the engine is from 96 and i put at least 4-5000 miles on it. The engine failed after about2 yrs after i took the head off. So i'm thinking that right there points to me being at fault but then again.....

b) In contrast, the engine that replaced it, a 305 out of a 78 malibu which i had just lying around has, to the best of my knowledge, never been rebuilt and runs very smoothly.

Is the zz383 made in mexico or here?

Low84 · 07-11-2011, 02:47 PM

How did this turn into a Mexico bashing thread? If I remember correctly, there was a thread a while back on this same site claiming these were the best castings to look for.

Pyrotechnic · 07-11-2011, 03:04 PM

With the cam walk and the timing be off, I wonder if detonation shattered that piston then the wrist pin knocked a hole in the block? Hyper pistons will shatter rather than melt like a forged will.

manimal · 07-11-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low84

How did this turn into a Mexico bashing thread? If I remember correctly, there was a thread a while back on this same site claiming these were the best castings to look for.

I have a GM crate 4 bolt block that was hecho en mexico, I refuse to use it. I know for a fact that the heads SUCK! They are very thin castings. I just dont trust them.
Now if I were building a Ford, I would be looking for a mexican 302 as they had more nickle in the casting and are much stronger than US or Canadian castings. That came right from Billy Glidden.

72duraburb · 07-11-2011, 05:54 PM

quit messin with those gas burners and go towards the light of turbo diesel power!

Low84 · 07-11-2011, 06:11 PM

Aren't gm performance crate engine blocks manufactured in mexico as well as the heads (neither of which failed) but assembled in the u.s. (which apparently was the problem judging by the problem description/pictures).

From what I gather, the "010" casting in the 350 is a "high nickel" block

SBTork · 07-11-2011, 06:37 PM

Sorry you had this happen. GMPP now has a 2 year/24K mile warranty on all engines, maybe someone you know at a local dealer can have them grandfather it in. Their crate engine have had this warranty since the beginning of 2010 as far as I know.
I know you're going a different direction now anyways, but it can't hurt to ask.

bodyworks · 07-11-2011, 08:54 PM

What I think is the ad for this engine was more of a problem than anything. After being burnt a couple of times at local machine shops didn't help either. One shop took my virgin 400 on trade for a heavy weight 4 bolt block, but neglicted to tell me the heavy weight blew-up in turn three at last Saturdays dirt trackrace. Nice gouge in #5 cylinder. I took that engine apart on the stand the day I got it home and found the parts I paid for weren't there. So $2750.00 later I had had nothing, I sold that to 72duraburb for his rock crawler and ate 1750.00. The original 400 from Mungus went to another shop and I was told the bore taper was upside down. HA, That block I marked and made sure I got it back. That same shop was going to build a 383 for $6500.00 and I pulled the plug 3 monthes into that build, after finding they were using a Chinese intake-Professioal Products- No thanks. Paid the shop for its services $1750.00 and had parts. So the GM crate engine looked like a great option. Well it wasn't. Add that up,that sucks!! I'll post some photos of my 427 small block built by Pro-formance Unlimited soon. Doug gave me a 2year warranty and it run great. Becareful on what you are buying. Buy the way 72Duraburb is right it"s tough to beat 24 mpg and 887ft.lbs of torque. Love that Suburban!!!!

07-10-2011, 10:00 PM	#1
bodyworks Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Audubon Iowa Posts: 30	My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Well here it is at 8000 miles! What a beautiful site, no really it is. This engine had timing issues from day one, No not the typical bonehead stuff but real issues. It suffered from cam walk, it would lose 10* timing and all because of cam walk as it warmed up you could hear it change timing. Was the block expanding because of lack of nickel and tin, who knows?? Discovered this when disassembling it. The timing chain was roller chain that you can find on many pieces of farm machinery. The cam walk measured 1/8", great. The block gave way at 10.30 at night on my way home from work,awesome. Yes this 383ht was new when installed 2 years ago with new distributer and mellonized gear. It never was hot nor abused, and GM claims never to have had issues with this type of motor, Even more great! Well I thought I would share this with all of you so becareful. No more GM performance for me. Attached Images

07-10-2011, 10:05 PM	#2
J Knight Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Baytown TX Posts: 2,219	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Sorry to hear about your motor. Congratulations on your new found boat anchor. __________________ John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350

07-10-2011, 10:05 PM	#3
spudz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Branchville SC Posts: 1,647	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Rip __________________ 2004 z71, 96 z71 on 38s, 88 Chevy k5 blazer, 4in lift. 84 swb project, 82 SWB project , 84 chevy 4x4 lwb project, 88 Jimmy beater/highschool ride. 79 c30. 99 tahoe 4x4 project. and a bunch of parts trucks..

07-10-2011, 10:07 PM	#4
1986c10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Vicksburg, Mi Posts: 323	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! dear god that is awful. sorry for your loss __________________ 1979 C10 - swb, mild 327, restoration project 1979 Mustang - Turbo 5.3 / 4l80e 1976 K20 - Mild 396, 6" lift, 35's - sold 1986 C10 - lwb vortec 355- sold 1982 C10 - swb project- sold

07-10-2011, 10:11 PM	#6
Mrtn15 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Edgewood Texas Posts: 272	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! I want the body of your truck(: Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1986 Single cab 2WD Chevy 350/350 1977 Single cab Dually C30 BB454!

07-10-2011, 10:08 PM	#5
bodyworks Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Audubon Iowa Posts: 30	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Does this mean I need a boat?

07-10-2011, 10:13 PM	#7
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Man, that stinks. Sorry about that. __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

07-10-2011, 10:16 PM	#8
J Knight Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Baytown TX Posts: 2,219	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Ofcourse, new motor to haul your new boat and new anchor! LOL All kidding aside thats messed up, GM should warranty that motor. __________________ John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350

07-10-2011, 10:17 PM	#9
iroc12valve Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: niagara, ontario Posts: 109	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! If they'd written on it in English it would still be running. __________________ 1991 V3500 350TBI/4l80/205 D60/14bff - Crew long 1987 IrocZ-28 525 horse/567 Lb Tq 383 1976 K30 on 39.5s One wheel drive thanks to a np203 and some K5's lol

07-10-2011, 10:18 PM	#10
Your41Plague12 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,009	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! GM should definitely cover that. That's awful. By the way, I agree with iroc12valve's comment! __________________ Steve Member of the Foot Pedal Club '83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL, Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws, 350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400

07-10-2011, 11:57 PM	#11
bodyworks Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Audubon Iowa Posts: 30	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Nope warranty denied engine is out of it because of time.

07-11-2011, 12:01 AM	#12
Pop's C-10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: memphis Posts: 2,537	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Poor block __________________ 1981 C-10 (Pop's) 1978 Camaro 2006 Lacrosse

07-11-2011, 12:06 AM	#13
meter swinger Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kennewick WA. Posts: 1,437	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Holy molten lava batman. That looks like whats left of the reactor core at chernobyl. You sure the rods wern't made out of plutonium? Maybe it was time to scram that sucker anyway. Hope it was fun Posted via Mobile Device

07-11-2011, 12:11 AM	#14
MalibuSSwagon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Weare,NH Posts: 1,592	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! You seem to be missing a piston...or is that it all over the oil pickup __________________ Eric 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1986 Chevrolet C10\|5.3L\|TKO600\|Shortbed\|Custom Deluxe 1983 Malibu Wagon\|TPI 305\|T5 5 speed\|3.73 non-posi

07-11-2011, 12:11 AM	#15
bodyworks Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Audubon Iowa Posts: 30	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! No fun, I'll some photos of the mill soon. It's a killer 427 small block from Pro formance Unlimited. Only got 200 miles on it so far. WOW does it run awesome.



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07-11-2011, 12:59 AM	#16
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! 3rd pic says it all. I totally stay away from the mexican blocks/heads. They are thinner castings from what I have seen. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

07-11-2011, 10:23 AM	#18
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Oh no!; This is one of the engines i was considering. What mpg did you get? Here is what happened with my crate 350 meximotor: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422799 i don't know if it was my fault----replaced right bank head gasket due to misdiagnoisis of another problem(head gasket wasn't the problem----faulty trans vacuum modulator was---thus leaking into intake and causing smoke out the right pipe) and possibly didn't not seal the bolts properly (not sure how or why of this) OR the engine was just junk. a) i was not the original owner and the engine is from 96 and i put at least 4-5000 miles on it. The engine failed after about2 yrs after i took the head off. So i'm thinking that right there points to me being at fault but then again..... b) In contrast, the engine that replaced it, a 305 out of a 78 malibu which i had just lying around has, to the best of my knowledge, never been rebuilt and runs very smoothly. Is the zz383 made in mexico or here?

07-11-2011, 02:47 PM	#19
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! How did this turn into a Mexico bashing thread? If I remember correctly, there was a thread a while back on this same site claiming these were the best castings to look for.

07-11-2011, 03:04 PM	#20
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! With the cam walk and the timing be off, I wonder if detonation shattered that piston then the wrist pin knocked a hole in the block? Hyper pistons will shatter rather than melt like a forged will. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

07-11-2011, 05:54 PM	#22
72duraburb Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: carroll iowa Posts: 101	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! quit messin with those gas burners and go towards the light of turbo diesel power!

07-11-2011, 06:11 PM	#23
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Aren't gm performance crate engine blocks manufactured in mexico as well as the heads (neither of which failed) but assembled in the u.s. (which apparently was the problem judging by the problem description/pictures). From what I gather, the "010" casting in the 350 is a "high nickel" block

07-11-2011, 06:37 PM	#24
SBTork Garage wrench Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaCrosse, WI Posts: 1,855	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! Sorry you had this happen. GMPP now has a 2 year/24K mile warranty on all engines, maybe someone you know at a local dealer can have them grandfather it in. Their crate engine have had this warranty since the beginning of 2010 as far as I know. I know you're going a different direction now anyways, but it can't hurt to ask. __________________ -Adam 90 V1500 GMC Suburban 350/700R4/NP241..... 01 Saturn SL1 stock DD.....

07-11-2011, 08:54 PM	#25
bodyworks Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Audubon Iowa Posts: 30	Re: My GM 383 HT Oh YA!!! What I think is the ad for this engine was more of a problem than anything. After being burnt a couple of times at local machine shops didn't help either. One shop took my virgin 400 on trade for a heavy weight 4 bolt block, but neglicted to tell me the heavy weight blew-up in turn three at last Saturdays dirt trackrace. Nice gouge in #5 cylinder. I took that engine apart on the stand the day I got it home and found the parts I paid for weren't there. So $2750.00 later I had had nothing, I sold that to 72duraburb for his rock crawler and ate 1750.00. The original 400 from Mungus went to another shop and I was told the bore taper was upside down. HA, That block I marked and made sure I got it back. That same shop was going to build a 383 for $6500.00 and I pulled the plug 3 monthes into that build, after finding they were using a Chinese intake-Professioal Products- No thanks. Paid the shop for its services $1750.00 and had parts. So the GM crate engine looked like a great option. Well it wasn't. Add that up,that sucks!! I'll post some photos of my 427 small block built by Pro-formance Unlimited soon. Doug gave me a 2year warranty and it run great. Becareful on what you are buying. Buy the way 72Duraburb is right it"s tough to beat 24 mpg and 887ft.lbs of torque. Love that Suburban!!!!

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