[1] Design features of the B and RB engines include 17 capscrews per cylinder head, a cylinder block that extends 3 in (76.2 mm) below the crankshaft centerline, an intake manifold not exposed to crankcase oil on the underside, stamped-steel shaft-mounted rocker arms (race versions used forged steel rockers), and a front-mounted external oil pump driven by the camshaft.

The oil pump could not be allowed to extend below the crank throw to avoid interfering with the steering linkage.

In 1962, the Dodge Polara 500 came standard with a 305 bhp (227 kW) version of the 361 that had a four-barrel carburetor, dual-point distributor, and dual exhausts.

[2] Very few of the fuel-injected B engines were made and only a handful remain, since most were brought back to the dealer to be fitted with carburetors.

In some Dodge applications, this engine was labeled as the Magnum, while the Plymouth version was called the Golden Commando.

The big bore allowed for larger, 2.08 in (53 mm), intake valves, and the relatively short stroke helped it to be a free-revving and free-breathing engine.

Producing a maximum of 330 hp (246 kW; 335 PS) (gross) and 460 lb⋅ft (624 N⋅m) of torque for the 1960 model year, the 383 beat the 392 Hemi that had reached 435 lb⋅ft (590 N⋅m).

Horsepower and torque ratings gradually declined through the years because of the addition of more federally mandated emissions controls, until all Chrysler passenger vehicle big-block production ceased in 1978.

The solution was to create a 383 RB to fill the gap until the plant figured out how to quickly switch from one block to the other.

It was initially offered as the "non-catalogued" option S42 in Chryslers (the number of such produced is uncertain), offered with 373 or 385 hp (278 or 287 kW) via a single 4-barrel carburetor (11.0:1 or 12.0:1 compression ratio, respectively), or 413 or 421 hp (308 or 314 kW) via ram-inducted dual four-barrel carburetors (with the same compression ratios).

Known as the Super Stock Plymouth and Ramcharger Dodge, the Max Wedge featured high-flow cylinder heads developed through then state-of-the-art airflow testing.

The blocks were a special severe-duty casting with larger oil-feed passages than other RB engines, and were stress-relieved by the factory.

Induction came by means of a cross-ram intake manifold tuned for peak power above 4000 rpm and two Carter AFB-3447SA 4-barrel carburetors.

The Max Wedge also included high-flow cast-iron exhaust manifolds that, on the later versions, resembled steel tube headers.

An increased-bore version of the standard New Yorker 413 single 4-barrel engine, it bears little relation to the Max Wedge except for basic architecture and dimensions.

It had a light wall construction, precision cast-iron block, with iron heads and a bore of 4.32 in (109.7 mm), for an overall displacement of 440 cu in (7.2 L).

[11] In 1972, changes were made to the horsepower ratings of vehicle engines from gross (engine only, without air cleaner, exhaust system, alternator, or other power-consuming components) to net (with alternator, air cleaner, mufflers, and other vehicle equipment installed).

Engines including the 440 were made with reduced compression, modified cam timing, and other tuning measures to comply with the newly tightened emissions regulations.

The high-output 440 (4-barrel/mild cam/dual exhausts) was marketed as the Magnum in Dodges, the Super Commando in Plymouths, and the TNT in Chryslers.