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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: 78 Chevyrado on July 28, 2010, 11:20:52 PM

Title: '63 327
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on July 28, 2010, 11:20:52 PM
Just a dumb question, but I have the stock '78 165HP 350 in my C20.  I have a 327 in the basement thats a 300HP out of a 63 impala/biscayne/whichever.   Has a forged Crank.   Would this do anything for me in a heavy truck with big tires?  At some point I'l need a new engine...  probably when the timing chain breaks, but would this be a good budget build engine that could outperform the stock 350?   I know 327's are BAD lil high HP engines, But what about in a fully loaded heavy 3/4 ton pickup?

I wouldnt use the heads as i want my accessories to bolt up...

Just a thought.....
Title: Re: '63 327
Post by: beastie_3 on July 28, 2010, 11:55:07 PM
Well it would seem HP vs HP, the 327 is better. I might suggest putting that in temporarily and turn the 350 into a stroker. You want torque, not HP. (not that HP is a bad thing...)
Title: Re: '63 327
Post by: frotosride on July 29, 2010, 12:11:59 AM
The motor it's self isn't bad but the cam may be too much with the weight of the truck unless you go with a higher stall converter . if the 327 crank is forged and has at least 3.48 stroke then swap cranks and do the build with the 350. you will get more power from that 350 in the long run than with the 327. Plus looking for parts for a 350 is like looking for parts for a mustang(oh i can't believe i said that word..much less on a chevy forum). Every time you blink there's something new. as the saying goes "there's no replacement for displacement". But for something to beat around until you build a good 350 then heck yea..
But hey just like everyone else will eventually be posting going with the 350 is just my opinion. If you are like most and always want an upgrade everytime you think about your truck then the 350 and it's ability to be bored, stroked and bolt on's until your wallet can't handel it, is the best choice unless u have a free bbc on hand.
 ;)
Remember if you swap heads the combustion chambers on the 350 heads are probably larger, which means lower compression ratio and thus less power but that can all be changed by domed pistons.

Title: Re: '63 327
Post by: Captkaos on July 29, 2010, 02:35:54 PM
If it is a 63 327 is it a small journal.  which are generally not as strong.  327 = 3.25" stroke where a 350 = 3.48" stroke, bore is the same.  Horsepower rating no an engine block means nothing unless it is still in a crate never used.
For the money and power use a 350.
Title: Re: '63 327
Post by: Josh454 on July 29, 2010, 05:42:03 PM
Keep in mind that back then they rated HP with gross, on a dyno with open headers, tuned carb, no accessories etc.  Your 350 was rated as it sits in the truck with all the emssions hooked up.  If you were to take your stock 350 and rate it with gross standards it would be close to 300 too.

Sell the small journal 327 to some muscle car guy that needs it for his restoration project.  Use the money towards your 350.

Title: Re: '63 327
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on July 29, 2010, 06:09:18 PM
Ill get another 350.   It was just a random thought...   That things been in the basement since like 1976... 
Title: Re: '63 327
Post by: Lt.Del on July 30, 2010, 09:47:13 PM
i remember when i was a teenager, many moons ago, my dad took his 350 out of his 76 chevy cheyenne.  A friend had a 66 station wagon that had been sittin for years in the field. It had a 327.  We took that thing out the wagon and dropped it in the truck and put dual exhaust and cherry bombs on the truck....let's just say, as a teenager, I drove that thing every chance i got.  She would spin the tires with little effort and burn the rubber down to nothing.  I loved that combination.  We didn't even rebuild the 327.  Just dropped it in as is.

Sweet.  That is the reason i have my 79 today...good memories.  But i think my 383 will take that old 327.  But I did bury the speedo many times on the 327 with little effort.   Nice combo. That 327 had so much more gusto than the '76 epa crap 350. 
Title: Re: '63 327
Post by: 1980c10 on July 30, 2010, 11:59:27 PM
I believe the heads are what makes that 327 perform.