It has 3.5" stroke,isn't a 383 3.75? Ill do some checking. Next question is the expense worth it to go from a 355 to 383 in terms hp/tq? Is it cheaper to buy a short block or stroker kit and machining.

Yes. You get nearly 30 extra cubic inches of displacement in addition to the noticeable torque increase from the longer stroke.

got the port motor tore down the rest of the way today. the pistons had some scuffing on them. 7 and 8 were the worst,i had trouble with low water temps. the rod bearings didn't look the best. i would think that the contamination from the cam didn't help things. the #3 intake lobe was gone.
what does it look like to you? cam,to cold or both?
this is a link to the photos.
http://s721.beta.photobucket.com/use...y/port%20motor
not the most accurate way to measure but i could get a .005 feeler gauge between the sides of the piston and cylinder wall, at the bottom of the skirt i could get a .0025 in. top ring .029 second ring .025 gap

the cam in it was a crane H-278-2
278/290 dur .498/.527 lift 114 lsa

thanks for looking.