ok i was looking at my engine block and on the side it said 838 does that number sound familiar to anybody the three does not really look like a 3 but it is close  

How about some hints like V-6 or V-8 SBC or BBC, what vehicle is it in, can you read the stamped number on the block?

Bogie

it is a V-8 with vortec heads and i cant seem to find any other number.  the only way to is to tear apart the motor which i don't have the time to right now.  it is in a 1983 blazer and i am pretty sure that it is not the stock engine

3932388 69-73 350 .That is as close as I come .My book was published in 1987 so.I see more 3970010 like everywhere. Was this the highest produced block or what.  

The 3970010 was the first-gen block with a 4.00" bore used for the '68 and later 302/327/350s.  The 3932388 was also a 4.00" bore, mid-size journal block.  There were a bizillion of these produced.

I can't find any Gen I or II SBC reference that ends in "838" and my number stock is pretty good. The fact that it has Vortec heads sure tell's you somethings been done to the 83, question is; (are those Vortec heads on a non-Vortec block?) or (is that a complete Vortec engine?)

The 305 Vortec block is 10243878. The 350 Vortec block is 10243880. Both of these blocks accept (or may have) the factory roller cam and one piece rear seal. The Vortecs also include a plastic timing cover with an attachment that monitors crank position for the computer. However, if installed in an 83 with a carb all of that might have been replaced with the older sheetmetal cover to simplify things. The 305 will only have 2 bolt mains, the 350 can have 2 or 4 bolt mains. 

There's plenty of other choices of blocks that end in numbers that can be confused for 8s and 3s, but those I referenced come closest to a Vortec and you're unsure of the middle number. Data should be found on the rear bellhousing ledge at the driver's side of the block. Older blocks will have the full casting number cast or stamped here. Starting in the 1980s this was often changed to the displacement in liters and the date it was cast. Another place to look is a small ledge (facing up) on the right front (passenger side) of the engine. This often includes the suffix code which tells you the original type of vehicle it was installed in or may contain the original vehicle's VIN code.

Bogie