My Boss at work, Jim, decided to let go of an engine he picked up as a spare for his stock car several years ago and asked me if I was interested! Oh yeah! 68 Corvette 327 block (Jim ran the numbers when he got it and it checks out) rods and used pistons. Spanking NEW crank, all new main and rod bearings, steel shim head gaskets, FULLY rebuilt 305 HO heads and a Mallory mech advance point distributor. Everything was wrapped in clean rag, all journals etc and the soaked in rust preventative oil and wrapped in plastic. It's all clean and bright. Guess its all worth $250.00!?!? The block could be used as is and was totally dis***embled and hot tanked previously...the ring ridge is barely there, but seeing as the pistons are used I'd rather get new oversize pistons and have the bores done to be safe. I'll let the local engine shop make the decision on the overbore when I'm ready to have it done. Apparently this engine was being built by a friend of Jims to match a project engine in Hot Rod magazine from some years ago and supposedly made some good power on the street. The friend got stuck for some money so the project stalled and Jim bought it. Anyone have any idea on this Hot Rod article and maybe even have a copy they could scan and post? I'd like to see where the original owner was taking it with regards to the 305 heads and maybe get some ideas on cam size etc... I've been on the lookout for a rebuildable 327 for a number of years and suddenly one falls into my lap...and much of the new stuff is already with it! Thanks Andy...
Sounds like a good deal! I'd dump those 305 heads though.and replace them with some good '2.02 intake & 1.6 exhaust valve' 461 or 462 heads....or maybe a pair of modern aftermarket aluminum equivalents if you can afford 'em.
I remember mid 80's giving away a motor just like described with a set of 2.02 heads !!! I was young & dumb and drinking to much
If you have ring groove, just do it, i/e .030, and you'll b good for another 150K miles! He probabyl had the 305 heads to be able to run a higher CR, probalm is, 305 heads in general have small valve...so what you gain in CR, you lose in flow. Still a lot of 461's/etc heads out therethat aqre already 1.94 or2.02 intake valve, that can be rebuilt and run, no use going to something that requires more work just to make it right
Like the ones I sold 10-12 years ago because I didn't need them? I know where your coming from on the 305 heads...but I really want to find this article the guy was copying to build this engine before I dismiss them. These heads were part of the package for some reason. They're done, painted and ready to bolt on too. I DO have feelers out for a set of Camel humps...but I'm keeping my options open toward these first and the engine IS strictly for street use.
________________________________________________________________ I think a set of aftermarket iron heads, like maybe "Iron Eagle" or "Motown" new or used would be the right move. New, they will cost you about the same as a set of GM "2.02s" and the cost to rebuild them. You would be hard pressed to get the GM heads to perform at the level of Iron Eagle or Motown period. I saw you are intending street use only....that is fine, if you decide to step up in power, you'll already have the heads. The 305 heads might have a particular reason, but simply will not perform at the level these other heads will. If you just want to run the motor, than use the 305 heads.........your call.......enjoy
The 305 head are good for low end tork.There are all over at around 5000 rpm. I had a set on a tow rig I built a few years back.I seen them on 350 but on a 327! these engines need to rev to make power.Bill unless you can find a set of rebuilt heads with the seat replaced it might be better to get a set of aftermarket.The old Camel hump head are costly to rebuild now.The set I have will cost me a good $800 by the time they are done. As for what your going at with the 32 I think the 305s might be ok.Would be fun off a light but Running up against say, I don`t know, A BBC power T bucket.You might be in trouble. Good score.
Aw hell, that engine isn't worth $250...let alone $2.50...so you should prolly p***... FWIW, I've got two sets of camel humps in my garage...these are high dollar items tho...I'd suspect I'd have to have much more than what you paid for that engine...and you'd have to pay air freight shipping on them, of course... They'd look nice in that '32 5-window of yours you've been saving for nigh onto 30 years now...!!! When's you gonna get started on it...??? R-
I know! Now I haven't unwrapped these heads, but Jim told me the guy had them done with larger valves and a total rebuild. No idea if the bowls are blended or any porting was done or whatever. Personally I wouldn't have bothered if it were me...but they are already done. I'd love to see that article to see just what he was up to... Supposedly these are the same # heads, with the same mods used in that article!!! Weird... Reusing them would be a huge save in money as your expected $800.00 cost shows...but obviously I HAVE to be satisfied that they will work. This engine won't be drag raced. I'm totally over with that. I'm gonna have to track down the original owner and see what he was up to. IF I can find the article I'll post it here too.
If he went with bigger valves, they may be 416's, which can flow as good as later GM iron heads that came on 350's, I forget the 350=equvilant, but would do the same as the newer 083's like on the EFI'ed Camaros late 80's-early 90's, and the 081's (smaller chamber 305 heads) on the same cars. Only issue that might arise is the small combustion chamber (***uming they ae the "good" 305 heads, IIRC they are like 58CC chambers, so you have to keep an eye on CR.
68 Vette engine is a large journal 327 and may very well have a forged steel crank. Large journal forged 327 cranks are as rare as hens teeth and worth more than you paid for the whole package.
Hot Rod did a give away engine a few years ago. It was a 327 with a tunel ram built by Duggans engine rebuilding in Riverside CA. They might be able to help.
Ahhh go on Roger...Hahaha A good Caddy man like you would only use Camel Humps to prop open the garage door! Shipping would likely kill the wicked deal you'd give me unfortunately... I've had the coupe stashed for only...25 years! I've been getting parts together for at least 1/2 of that time so I am working on it indirectly. 2009 got me my engine obviously, a Banjo wheel, F1 spindles, Shock brackets, "Jailbar" brake pedals, F1 gas tank, 3.50 Trac-loc centersection and a load of other small parts. 2008 I got an excellent set of 39 Radius rods off Fitzee to make my ladder bars, a full set of 4 1/2 x16 wheels, an EARLY Bronco Rearend, a real nice set of embossed Chevy valve covers (Thanks Roger!), A set of 65 Mustang buckets....etc. 2007...Excellent Model "A" front and rear crossmembers and springs...F100 brakes and steering box...etc. It's only been the last couple or 3 years that the big parts I needed have come to me, so really I'm glad it has taken more time than I ever figured...because NOW I'm building the HOT ROD I always saw in my head! I actually have the parts...so I don't need to compromise. I'm trying to build it for free using local parts, simply because that keeps the build in its era. The parts I want mean I HAVE to search, not order new. Will it be free??? Oh damn no! That thought is laughable!!! But we're all having a blast on the field trips we make! BUT whatever it costs ultimately, the car will be totally me and totally Hot Rod. My build sheet will list all the local spots where parts were found and any people who donated parts to the cause. The shortest list will hopefully be the aftermarket parts used and I hope that will mostly be engine hop up parts...as it should be.
is there a reason no one has mentioned Vortec heads yet...? they are the best overall flowing chevrolet cast heads... i've seen used engines for like 250 bucks... even if those heads need a "good m***age", your still miles ahead... if you look you can find a used carburated intake for 75 bucks or less.
OK..curiosity was killing this cat so I went downstairs and cut open a head. Clean and shiny with a fresh coat of Chevy orange outside and the casting number is.... 14014416 According to Mortec.com 80-86...305..........1.84"/1.5" valves, 58cc chambers I didn't totally unwrap the head to check for new valve sizes...that will have to wait as I have no duct tape to reseal the plastic. The crank seems to have a thin parting line which doesn't surprise me as it was new from NAPA several years ago.
Bill one more thing with them 305 heads is Compression.A stock 8.5 to 1 350 with a set of these head will bring it up above 9 to 1.So a set of flat tops might be a bit much for a daily driver. Them head might bring them up closer to 11 to 1.
Yes...I'm definately gonna have to check into that! The heads have been cut slightly for cleanup purposes and came with a set of steel shim gaskets. The OEM pistons that came with it have a flat top with 4 valve reliefs. Seems like that would make for a very unfriendly comp ratio! I'll want to run on pump gas...
hey, heres a link i found about a gentleman running the vortecs on a 327, and a few other peoples suggestions on what to do to both liven them up and improve longevity. apparently they really wake these up. theres also suggestions for cams and such. its at least worth a look. heres the link http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122709
**** can thought head and go buy a set of aftermarket such as those from World Product. Even the cast iron versions they have with larger valves work great, if you can afford aluminum even better. I had a set of their Sportman cast iron versions on a 327 and it made good power..
I own 5 of these early 327's , kinda my favorite Chevy engine. If you need part numbers or casting number info, I have alot of info. Let me know... Awesome score...... Desert
They are great little engines. Back in my dirt track racing days we ran a couple of them built using 4 bolt main 350 blocks & forged large journal 327 cranks (when we could find cranks). We were beating the pants off the compe***on who were all running 350s because we could get the RPMs up quicker coming out of the turns. 1/4 mile dirt track so being able to rev quick was the key to winning.
327's kick ***, it's the best motor for a lightweight car that GM ever built. I've had a few and I have one that's been in 5 cars. I'll keep it forever. Mine's a 1970 casting 3959512 warranty/service motor (CE stamp) with 3927186 Z28/LT1 2.02 heads' It came in a '62 Corvette I bought in 1977. These motors were never sold over the counter, they were only for service work done on HiPo cars at the dealership. Here's an old but very good SBC book.
The light weight 305 heads are notorious for cracking. If you look along the lower row of bolt holes (where the shortest head bolts go) is the casting scalloped between the bolt holes or is the casting straight across? Scallops mean trouble. Since the price was right you could use them but I wouldn't. Doggy performance and prone to cracking reduces their value.
I may not fully understand the reasoning for not going with late model 350 vortec heads, as they will generally out flow the 2.02s, will flow with the aftermarket heads, and for less than half the cost if you look around. The vortec head's impact on compression ratio is not a big concern, as it was already stated that it needs new pistons and an overbore. The pistons can be spec'd for the c/r desired, with the vortec heads. (IMO) What ever the next step may be , looks like a cool score!!!!
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