361 into a 383 or 400

[1963 Dodge 880 CHP]

Hello all, I am a new guy to the Mopar forum and I have a few questions on engines. First, I have a 1963 Dodge 880 with a 361 big block and 2 bbl carb and I want to know if the engine can be bored out to make a hi po 383 or 400 with dual 4 bbl intake? I have been reading all I can find on the "B" engines and I have basically discovered that Chrysler started off with a 350 "B" in 1958, then bored it to 361 then 383 and finally 400. Is my 1963 block casting strong enough for a 383 or 400 bore?

[dave571]

Cannot be bored that far.

The casting is not thick enough.

A 400 block was cast as a 400 block, then finish bored. not a 350, then bored out all that extra.

Good news is, that 383's are almost free these days, due to the poularity of 400 strokers

[63Fury]

Your 361 has the same stroke as a 383 and 400. You would have to bore your block .130 to get a 383 out of your 361 and you can't go that far. The way I see it you can build your 361 and ALL the performance stuff for the 383 will bolt rate up (with the exception of pistons of course.) Or you can go find a 383 and build that, Ma Mopar only made like 3 million of them.

[peg leg]

That 361 is a very good base engine for a build. My '65 Belvedere was born with one. I added a factory 4 bbl iron manifold from a junk yard, Holley 650, Sig Erson hydraulic cam and lifters, custom headers and a 4.11 Sure Grip rear, and M&H 8 inch slicks at 11 psi. I raced at Lions regularly, in brackets. This was back in 1967-68, of course. My times and MPH were consistant 13.98 to 14.10 at 97 MPH. Think what that engine could do today with new technology! Spank that thing and have some fun.
Ron

[1963 Dodge 880 CHP]

Thanks all, I figured it was not possible. I have 4 good 361 engines and I will just build one of them to be as much of a monster as I can!