Building a 383 stroker boat engine

[CT8]

Originally Posted by motor_oil_madman
It's called an abermarle 24 loaded down with fuel the boat weighs about 6000 pounds plus passengers.

it looks like a really nice boat and the extra torque wouldn't hurt. This would be a reliability build then.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted by CT8
Originally Posted by motor_oil_madman
It's called an abermarle 24 loaded down with fuel the boat weighs about 6000 pounds plus passengers.

it looks like a really nice boat and the extra torque wouldn't hurt. This would be a reliability build then.



Yeah I didn't pay much for it compared to a new one, it's worth it to me to do a repower strictly for reliability.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted by thastinger
With wet risers I don't see the upside to the stroker option as the cam can't be optimized, too much lobe separation and you'll hydro the motor.

You'll obviously need to stick with cast iron heads and manifold. Most 383 crank/rod/piston sets are geared toward racing so they have higher static compression. You probably wouldn't want that unless your marina has 93 octane non-ethanol fuel.


You would have less reversion and scavenging with the wide LSA. and retarded intake.

Sorry I don't have wet experience. Just Dry short track and diggers in the 70's and early 80's. NO Boats!

I probably shouldn't even post on this thread

I will add Gen 1 SBC are porky for their specific torque compared to Ford.

 

[DriveHard]

Go here...

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/

...and post the question in the "Do it yourself, boating on a budget" - you will get tons of good advice, those guys are pro's on this type of stuff. When I built my 350 marine motor, that is where I got most all my information.

 

[nthach]

I don't own a boat, but if it were me and you don't want to get a marinized LSx and deal with the conversion I'd find a engine guy who can build you a 383 with Vortec L31 heads and the right cam/carb/header combo to optimise low-end torque to get you moving on the water. Years ago, I was on someone's ski boat, I think it was a 1990s era Eliminator and it was upgraded with a 400. That thing flew down the river.

GM does sell these as crate motors, but they aren't for marine use - caveat emptor: https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines/small-block-ht-383

 

[DuckRyder]

FWIW, Mercury Marine used to sell a 377 (377 is std bore and 383 is .30 over IIRC) as the Super Scorpion, not sure if they still have any... I'm also not sure they ever used it with an outdrive (It was mainly a competition skiboat motor) but see no reason you couldn't...

Guess they did use it with a outdrive:

https://www.mercuryracing.com/oddities-rarities/

 

[1978elcamino]

IIRC the 377 is a destroked 400 sbc. A 400 with a 350 crank. A good RPM performance combo.