I have been working on my 31 Coupe on 32 rails. I had plans of running a 351 W. I already have the complete 351 W and t5 trans. My father wants to build a Chevy 327. I am more than happy to change my plans. My father used to race a 55 chevy in the 70's and small block chevys is what he really knows. His health is not as great as it used to be and he was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Our relationship hasn't always been great and I think this would be a good project for us to work on together and become closer. I am supposed to look at a 68 327 tomorrow. I need advice on what to look for. The info I have from talking with the seller on the phone is that its a large journal 327 with steel crank and 11 to 1 pistons. He also said it is the original bore and the pistons are not in the motor - he had intended to rebuild it but built a big block instead. What do I look for? How do I tell if its a 327 for sure. Is $600 a fair price for a short block? Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!!! aloha, rustfarmer
Large journal steel 327 cranks are the exception rather than the rule. You do know how to tell forged from cast, don't you? If the pistons are really 11:1, they'll have some sort of popup on them. Of course, since SBC heads were available in several combustion chamber sizes, the big question is 11:1 with what head? A large journal 327 block really isn't any different from a 350 block, though in '68, the casting number would not be the common 3970010--they came out in '69. If the crank is really a large journal forged and in good condition, it's worth half of the $600 by itself. I would guess that 327s are a little harder to come by in Hawaii than they are here in New York.
If it is a 68 327 it will have the large journal crank (1st yr) look at the casting number on the back edge of block on drivers side and go to this site to find info on number. http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm I paid $400 for a 68 327 in need of rebuild. Because it is the motor I wanted. Chris
LOVE my 68' 327! It was pulled out of a 64 Vette roadster. Got it from a guy who wanted to restore the Vette to a "numbers correct" car. HE did. I dropped the 327 in my 26 T roadster, & have been happy with it ever since! I'd go along with your Dad on this one. I'm bettin' you'll never regret it! Good Luck!
its a killer engine. Alot of guys say "there's no replacement for displacement!" but I would take a destroked 377 over a 383 stroker any day. so as far as a 327 goes. I'd buy it. they are very simple engines and you can get anything for it. I had one in a 67 chevy truck. I now plan to run a small journal 327 in my 46 pontiac. I picked it up for 300.00 and its rebuilt. I practically stole the goddam thing.
dont forget the 327 looks just like the 350 but it had a filter can on the lifter valley at the rear...just take one look at the top rear of the block where the distributor goes and you ll see a opening where a filter can was or still is...plus a little different casting at the top of the block rear to except the vent tube..if in doubt run the casting #'s...
Heathen, Hotrodderman, Irish27t,Gunny, and Jopar thanks for your comments and help. I really appreciate it! Yeah, 327's are harder to come by here but, it's the motor my father is set on building. I looked at one last weekend, the guy claimed it was a 327. Luckily it was close to home and my father was able to come. My father looked at it for a while and measured a few things and told me it was a 283. The guy seemed kinda sketchy too! I guess his house arrest band on his ankle should have been the first clue somethings up. I don't really know what I am looking at when it comes to motors. It's a good time to learn and spend time with my father. By the way Hotrodderman thanks for the link it's very helpful. aloha, rustfarmer
if it's worth getting,i'd grab that engine in a heartbeat! i'm runnin a 68 327 myself right now and it's a GREAT engine!plenty of power,hasnt overheated yet and runs with great oil pressure.plus it's a bit of a bragging right to say "no,i dont have a 350..i have a 327!" creepy
I want to find one some day. a small journal crank 327 would be awesome. Then I could put my 283 crank in it and run a 302 sbc
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