Building a new engine for my 1987 R-10

[1976Scottsdale]

I have been driving my 87 R-10 for about a week now with the original 52000 miles on it.  She runs well but does not rev at all.  Since I have been bored for a while now I have decided to go through my parts shelf and build an engine for it.  I found my old 3970010 "010 020" casting 4 bolt block and caps/bolts from an old parts truck.  I also found my 10/10 327ci large journal crankshaft and a set of truck rods.  So, I am going to build a 4 bolt main 327 engine for the truck.  The kit is going to cost me about 400 bucks to get.  As far as heads, I have a set of 193 casting heads which are supposed to be swirl port(yuck) heads at like 65.3cc chambers that flow well to about 4500-4800RPM's.  I think I will use these heads for this motor.  I have a factory 327 350HP cam at my house from my last 327 build that I will be using.  THe question I have is, can I run the stock TBI with this setup or should I run a carburetor?

[SLUG]

I WOULD TRY IT WITH THE TBI, AND IF IT DONT RUN WORTH A CRAP THEN SWITCH OVER TO A CARB

[VileZambonie]

I'm confused as to what you are going to do? Are you saying you want to put the 327 crank in the 350 block?

As far as compatibility with the cam, measure it up and give the specifications

[HAULIN IT]

Scottsdale, A couple of questions for you. Have you done any investigating as to why the engine you have in the truck won't rev? Those '80's motors weren't powerhouses for sure, but in proper working order (& with only 52,000) I think I would like to spend a little time checking it out first. It would be a shame to put a new engine in, using the ignition & fuel system from the old one to find that something there was the problem. The 327 idea is a little backwards from what most would concider the ideal choice for a heavy truck. The 327 (especially with that cam) is not going to be great down low in the RPM's. I'm not familiar with the 193 castings, what year & engine are they from? Do they have the bolt-holes for the accessories? Good Luck, Lorne

[eventhorizon66]

350 hp 327 cams were 222/222 @ 0.05" with .447"/.447" lift on 114* LS.  Not 100% sure, but I think that's right.  Not such a TBI-friendly cam.  TBI likes small dual-pattern RV cams.

Some cams listed for TBI are:
Comp's #12-249-4 206/212 @ 0.050" with .434"/.444" lift on 112* LS (1.5:1 rockers)
Lunati's  #60100    207/213 @ 0.050" with .437"/.454" lift on 112* LS (1.5:1 rockers)

anyways you get the picture.

[1976Scottsdale]

Thanks for all the input guys.  As far as the 327 crank in the 350 block, yes that is what I am going to do.  I had the crank in a 2 bolt 350 block (3970014) in my 1978 K-10 and it ran very well until it got hot and cracked both heads.  Now I am putting it in a 4 bolt block.  The truck is going to be more of a mild race type vehicle when I am finished with it.  The main revving issue is actually, as suggested, not the 305 engine, but rather the 2.73 rear axle, so I agree that I was off base in that respect.  I am not planning to install the engine any time soon, so I am just throwing ideas around right now as to what I will put in it when I build it(it will be built long before it goes in the truck).  As to the 193 heads, they are from a 1988 Chevy 2500 4x4 6 lug truck with a 2 bolt main 350 engine.  they are supposedly the swirl port heads... yuck, but I am going to look at some others tomorrow.

[VileZambonie]

I agree the 327 isn't going in the right direction for the truck. If anything I would either build the 350 or make it a 383. Save the 327 crank for another project or eBay it

[eventhorizon66]

+1.  You can make a 350 rev to the sky with the right parts and a decent block.  But you have to run a really hairy cam to make useable power up there, and nobody likes the rough idle associated with these cams, LOL.  If revving is your goal and you must buy a new rotating assembly, consider going with 6" rods (might help you make a little more power up there).  Here's an interesting article on rod-to-stroke ratio tech.  Really only critical for race engines, but worth a quick read.  And I think you are right to want to use different heads.  Stock TBI heads were designed only for port velocity (great for low-end torque and not much else).  I've always been interested in the L31 vortec heads and plan to put them on my engine someday. With a Comp XE268 cam, and 9:1 CR, they'll make 375-400 hp...supposedly.

[Bowtie Bomber]

I've seen 327's in action in short bed trucks and they're alright.. that is if you build them right. Personally a 327 belongs in a Camaro or any other GM car. My dad had one in his '81 Camaro was great for circle track, drag racing and daily driving.

[VileZambonie]

Personally a 327 belongs in a Camaro or any other GM car. My dad had one in his '81 Camaro was great for circle track, drag racing and daily driving.

+1

[86 chevy silverado]

The large journal 327 crank in good condition is worth a couple bucks to someone that needs it.
Buy yourself a new 350 crank with the money you get. Cubes are #1.

[1976Scottsdale]

Well, I found a 1984 K-20 chassis today that the body is gonna get swapped onto from the 87 R-10, as will the wiring, fuel tanks, etc.  If cubes are #1, then I got a 460 ford and a 4 speed that will fit real nice in there.

[werewolfx13]

...I got a 460 ford and a 4 speed that will fit real nice in there.

Blasphemy! A f*rd engine in a chevy truck?!     

[VileZambonie]

Well, I found a 1984 K-20 chassis today that the body is gonna get swapped onto from the 87 R-10, as will the wiring, fuel tanks, etc.  If cubes are #1, then I got a 460 ford and a 4 speed that will fit real nice in there.

Cubes aren't #1 but if you are under the impression that RPM's equate to more power then you are off basis. A 327 would have to be a lot more radical in one of these trucks to do the same job a less radical 350 would be making the 350 a more logical choice. Economy and practicality go out the window with the 327 but if you are bent on building the 327 do it. Everyone is just offering up logical opinions. But if you want to put a Ford in your Chevy I'm afriad we'll have to have a public caining.

[DnStClr]

I got a 460 ford and a 4 speed that will fit real nice in there.
Yeah- HOW RUDE!