New mopar guy here. It took me 6 hours to figure out which 383 my desoto has. Its a B block 383. I was told a rebuild kit from any Dodge 383 will work. Since my car has been sitting since 1976 it will need a frame off rebuild including the engine. That leaves me open to suggestions about how to get more power out of this thing. I am keeping the push button torqueflight and not sure of the power limits of a stock 59 torqueflight. I am looking at around 450 crank hp on low octane gas using basic engine parts. It doesn't have the optional 4 barrel that was standard on the upscale Fireflight. Would any Dodge 383 4 barrel intake work with my Desoto? I would like to put a quadrajet on it for fuel economy (and being a Buick guy and very familar with them), but what kind of CFM ratings do these motors like? Buick V8s LOVE huge carburetors (850 cfm from the factory for big blocks), and any smaller they loose power. Would a 750 CFM be sufficient with a 400-450 hp 383?

Thanks guys and looking forward to learning about Mopars

Josh from Nebraska

 

Got to use the Dodge 4 barrel intake for the B-383... Not sure if there is an aftermarket one?????
You got your work cut out for you to make another 150HP from the stock application. I would check with Egge Engine ( https://egge.com/ ) and see if something could be put together as a package with some higher compression. That will help a bunch. Shane over at Percision Cylinder Heads ( https://www.facebook.com/PrecisionCylinderHeads/ ) might be some help on getting the heads to flow better for you.
CRT Racing transmissions can help you out with the the trans taking the power and still using the Push Button Trans...

Keep us posted... Welcome to the Site....

 

I believe that the crankshaft to converter connection is different than 1962 up but you can swap block and heads. Your stock heads will hold you back on power, small ports and valves. Here is a link to 440 Source knock yourself out.

https://www.440source.com/

 

Will larger heads from like a 440 work on a B block 383? I am not to sure about interchangeability. I am going to use the numbers matching block as long as its good. If aftermarket heads and intake are available I think I can get close to the 400-450 range if I get the right parts. I might use shorty headers, but I don't want to go to crazy with mods to get her to that power level.

 

1967, 915 heads have 75 cc chambers and all laters have 90 cc. 383 and 440 heads are the same but you want heads after 67.

 

I was going to add that in 59 and 60 mopar built both B 383s and RB 383s, the RB 383 will have a flat pat in front of the tin valley pan next to the distributor.

 

I was told Desoto used the B block 383. The RB 383 was for Chryslers

 

The RB was produced because of a shortage of the B 383 short blocks and was used everywhere the B motor was.

 

Oh! Since mine is a late production 59 I should check. Would the cars vin also be on those supplemented rb 383s (as I am concerned about numbers matching)

 

As I said before it's easy to determine if you have a RB motor, at the front of the tin valley pan there is a machined pad about 1 1/4" x 2 1/4" that is stamped with numbers identifying the motor. The B motor doesn't have this pad.
Its important to determine witch motor you have because no parts swap between the shortblocks.

 

I am currently attempting on unseize the hood hinges so I can check. The hood froze up just enough I can tell it’s all there except the radiator

 

You mention numbers matching I don't believe that an issue on a 59, I don't know that there is a VIN number on the block.

 

Thank you. I just think I’m fairly stuck with using a pre-62 383 because I’m not gonna swap the transmission out.

 

OK folks this is where I need some help. I got the hood up and had a look. Nowhere in the paperwork did it say he ordered the optional 4 barrel, Yet it has a 4 barrel Carter on it. I lost a discussion on a forum where they showed pictures of the difference between the B and RB block. What do you guys make of it? Did Chrysler offer the 4 barrel 383 RB when they ran out of the B block 383‘s as a free upgrade?

I know for a 100% certainty that is the original motor that came in the car when it was built. The original owner was elderly and the previous owner thought it just had a 2 barrel LOL

update: I was told this is a carter 2 barrel. I was freezing and didn't look close enough. Its the same size as the rochester 4gc found on nailheads so I thought it was a 4. Is this still the B block 383?

 

I can't tell from the pictures you have, get a picture of the distributor base and just to the rt of it.

 

this is the best picture I could get. The AC compressor is in the way

 

Ok, can you get a picture of the water pump housing at the block?

 

I cannot tell from those photos ether.....
The Carb is a 2 Barrel Carter / Ball & Ball....
AS for the engine... I think it might be easier to get the casting numbers off the sides of the engine block from under the car. when you get a chance. Just my 2 cents...

 

This weekend Ille get the compressor off and dust off the motor bay. Hopefully then I can lay this question to rest.

I’m thinking of Using a Dodge 383 rebuild kit (if a B block) with KB hyper pistons, aluminum heads from 440, moderate flat tappet cam, and 1.6 roller rockers. Would the pistons need notched in most mild cam/rocker combos?

 

Hopefully this picture can help. The pad to the left of the distributor is flush with the top of the block and appears to be machined

 

Here is a link that might help you.
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/motor/36.html