Thoughts, facts or opinions on a 327 into 58

[SKFengineer]

I'm totally behind the 327, we have one with a 4-spd in our 64 impala. Great motor.

Commenting on Softpatches, "paint" thoughts... Not sure what he is thinking but for me I would worry that if the heads were painted before assembly that all the areas they contacted paint with tools or the engine parts (ie: valve springs ) the paint will possibly chip off and find it's way into bearing surfaces of the engine. Second I don't think most paint will fair well inside the engine with hot oil and many heat cycles again leading to the paint coming loose and working into your engine. Best case it gets trapped in your filter, worst case it gets trapped in your bearings and hurts oil flow. In general I would consider paint inside the engine a contaminant.

Just my two cents

[Coupeguy2001]

Years ago, they used to coat the internal surfaces with red oxide primer. It was common practices to do this to aid drainback.
The other reason was before PCV valves, there was moisture in the air, and ucirculated in the engine. Oil floats on water, and the moisture would settle on the block.
primed surfaces would not rust.
Maybe he just painted the primer, and took it another step.
Since it is still intact, i would run the engine till it started flaking off, then do something about it.
Chances are, it won't ever come off after the little bit that chipped off during assembly.
Primer is still on my 327 after 60,000 miles

[Speedbumpauto]

Never heard of red oxide primer. Guys used to use glyptal which is an insulating paint/varnish used in electric motor windings. It was a real pain just for better oil return and I question even that gain as worthwhile. Probably more "racer see, racer do." The question I have is; how do you tell a 327 from a 350 or 400 or even a 283 unless you have a very early one with the oil filter canister on the intake? If it makes you feel better put the earlier stock valve covers that say 327. There's no magic, only good memories....but they don't show up on time slips. There's no replacement for displacement.

[59chev]

Originally Posted by Speedbumpauto

Never heard of red oxide primer. Guys used to use glyptal which is an insulating paint/varnish used in electric motor windings. It was a real pain just for better oil return and I question even that gain as worthwhile. Probably more "racer see, racer do." The question I have is; how do you tell a 327 from a 350 or 400 or even a 283 unless you have a very early one with the oil filter canister on the intake? If it makes you feel better put the earlier stock valve covers that say 327. There's no magic, only good memories....but they don't show up on time slips. There's no replacement for displacement.

There are subtle differences, a small journal 1962-66 327 still had the hole cast into the block for where the oil draft tube was on the earlier engines. This hole was used on a 327 along with a baffle under the intake for a pcv valve hookup. If you want to run old school solid valve covers on a 350, you either have to drill holes in those old valve covers or in the intake to have a functioning pcv. 67-68-69 large journal 327s are essentially the same block as a 350.

[my56chevytruck]

I'm running a 454 (GEN VI) and turbo 400 trans.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Coupeguy2001

Years ago, they used to coat the internal surfaces with red oxide primer. It was common practices to do this to aid drainback.

It was not primer, it was high temperature electrical paint used inside of commercial power generation armatures. It was designed to stick and not flake off like primer would.

[1project2many]

It was not primer, it was high temperature electrical paint used inside of commercial power generation armatures. It was designed to stick and not flake off like primer would.

Glyptal = Epoxy paint. It's not necessary to buy that brand.

[Russell Ashley]

If you look closely at the enlarged pic it looks more like the paint inside the valve cover is overspray from not masking the head very well. Doesn't look like there is paint between or below the valves. You can always check the dipstick after a test drive to fully warm the engine and check for spots or any other contaminants. I don't think the paint would prevent me from buying the engine.

[Coupeguy2001]

me either

[nail pounder]

So here's what happened, the 327 sold before I got to it, looked at a "350" that turned out to be a 305, thought I found a deal on a 350 but after communicating for a few days the guy finally told me the motor has some "issues" and I'm sure there are others but I finally found this & brought it home today, I hope there's no surprises once it's installed. Compression was 165-170 on all cylinders, fired right up, and the 700r4 is rebuilt w/a shift kit, 2500 stall. Edelbrock 1406 4 barrel electronic choke carb & performer 2701 intake. I'm pretty pleased and got a good gut feeling about the seller. Block casting is a 10243880 (crate motor) and trans ends in 732 so I believe it's the newer one(87-92?) Thanks for all the opinions and input, let me know what ya think. I'm hoping it will give my grocery getter a little more git-ie-up.

[Palf70Step]

Engine looks good!