Early 327 engine information gurus?

[A1971Blazer]

My buddy was going to scrap this old 327 that has been sitting on a shelf in his shop for 10 years or more. It was in a 64 or 65 El Camino that was driven here from Montana.
He gave it to me...
The casting number is 3782870 and the only stamping on the front pad is SA
The picture of the casting number also shows the end marking of the cylinder head(s).
I'm thinking of using this engine in my Grandson's 68 rather than the healthy 350 that it has now.
I think this is the 250 HP version but not sure ?
I'm wondering about adding a power steering pump and looking for info about the brackets and pulleys that I will need for the short water pump set up.

[Grumpy old man]

Well the first question is which one do I get to buy ?

Decoding the 327 Code
First letters of "F," "S," "K" or "T" denotes Flint, St. Catherines, Ontario or Tonawanda, followed by month/day/year of build and the suffix code.

327 Suffix Code
Suffix codes are R, RA, S, SA, RB, K, SB and SG, with each suffix denoting the type of carburetor, transmission and whether the Chevy is equipped with air conditioning.

327 Casting Numbers
Casting numbers for 1962 to 1965 models generating 250 to 375 horsepower is 3782870; 3789817 for 1962 to 1967 models providing 210 to 275 hp; 3791362 for 1964 to 1967 models with 250 to 300 hp; 3814660 for 1968 to 1969 models with 250-hp engines; and 3830944 for 1963 models with 300 hp.


https://itstillruns.com/small-block-...n-5552475.html

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

What I get from my books is a 62 or 63 (although look at the casting date on the back of the block to confirm) 250hp motor based on the SA stamp. Also the "power pak" heads (thats what the marking is) and the little harmonic balancer show it as a low hp motor. That carb is worth a good amount of money to restorers.

As far as power steering brackets, look at 64-68 Chevelle's, 67/68 Camaros for brackets they used the short pump. That is what I used on my truck.

The only thing different that will need to be modified on the truck side is you temp gauge wiring might be the wrong length. 68 was the first year they put the temp sender in the side of head between the exhaust ports. On that motor, the sender goes in the intake near the thermostat housing.

[MJN]

If 'SA' is the only stamping on the front pad, SA suffix decodes to:
1962/1963 Impala, 327ci, 250hp, powerglide trans, 1-4bbl carb, with A/C

[Grumpy old man]

You don't want either of those old engines ! Your grandson would probably be happier with an LS swap !

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

You don't want either of those old engines ! Your grandson would probably be happier with an LS swap !

I'm sure he would....
however the insurance company might not be as enthused....

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by CAMAROBOY68SS

What I get from my books is a 62 or 63 (although look at the casting date on the back of the block to confirm) 250hp motor based on the SA stamp. Also the "power pak" heads (thats what the marking is) and the little harmonic balancer show it as a low hp motor. That carb is worth a good amount of money to restorers.

As far as power steering brackets, look at 64-68 Chevelle's, 67/68 Camaros for brackets they used the short pump. That is what I used on my truck.

The only thing different that will need to be modified on the truck side is you temp gauge wiring might be the wrong length. 68 was the first year they put the temp sender in the side of head between the exhaust ports. On that motor, the sender goes in the intake near the thermostat housing.

That motor could well have been swapped in at some point in history.
You can see that someone put the temp sender in the top of the water pump.
Being from Montana it has some kind of block heater as well. Maybe an aftermarket?
This project will be down the road a ways so I'll start trying to source the correct brackets and pulleys as time allows.
Thanks for the helpful info...

[Grumpy old man]

Ahh ! No need to go thru all that I have an empty engine stand waiting right here !

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Ahh ! No need to go thru all that I have an empty engine stand waiting right here !

But...do you have enough space???

[MikeB]

Very nice find, assuming internals are OK and it's not bored to the max.

Many years ago I built a 327 using a 350 block and 307 crank. That thing was lots of fun in a 55 Chevy sedan with a Muncie.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

But...do you have enough space???

Ill just say he doesnt and it needs to come to my place, lol. I can always use another 327.

[A1971Blazer]

It's about to go on the stand...I want to bore-scope it and put some Mystery oil in the cylinders if they look OK
It tried turning it SLIGHTLY just to make sure it wasn't locked up...it moved but I won't turn it until I let the cylinders soak for a while...

[Accelo]

I agree it is a 327 250HP.
Your motor has 283 valve covers on it.
Likely from a Chevelle or El as it has the rear exit exhaust.
The Impala's had the center dump style.
Nice to have a complete motor. Everything from the air cleaner to the heat shields for the plugs.
Hasn't been ran since it was painted. The paint would be blackened on the exhaust crossover. Nice find.
Cheers.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Accelo

I agree it is a 327 250HP.
Your motor has 283 valve covers on it.
Likely from a Chevelle or El as it has the rear exit exhaust.
The Impala's had the center dump style.
Nice to have a complete motor. Everything from the air cleaner to the heat shields for the plugs.
Hasn't been ran since it was painted. The paint would be blackened on the exhaust crossover. Nice find.
Cheers.

Thanks...
It was in a 64 El Camino, and was driven from Montana to Tennessee many years ago. Coming from Montana is probably why it has a block heater installed in the freeze plug near the oil filter...
I have it on the stand now and I'm anxious to bore scope it...hoping it looks good inside and won't need an overhaul...

[72SB]

Inspiration for me to take my 67 327 (210hp) I pulled from my Camaro when I did a crate motor for that car into my 72. It has a 250 I6 so a "V8" swap is in its future.

I would get different heads and a cam for it as it is the 210 hp baby head 327. Had about 140k mi on it when I pulled it. It has never been rebuilt so depending on cyl condition I suspect would bore it .030 over

[Accelo]

When I was young I had a .090 over bored 283 with the 302ci solid lifter cam.
The motor was way faster than it sound have been as it had the small valve heads on it.
If it would have gone to the full .125 it would have been a 301!
Those days are gone.
Max overbore of my early LS1 is .005. LOL
Cheers.

[special-K]

I'm a big fan of the 283s and 327s. I have a '68 large journal built for the '67. I hope yours is good to go and your son can be telling people, "It's a 327"

[A1971Blazer]

I had time to bore-scope the passenger side last night....all 4 cylinders look good in as much as I can see. I turned it up so that side is horizontal and put some MMO in the cylinders....I'll let that soak for a day or so, then do the driver side.
After that, I'll try to rotate it....if it turns, I'm gonna see if it will start up...

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm a big fan of the 283s and 327s. I have a '68 large journal built for the '67. I hope yours is good to go and your son can be telling people, "It's a 327"

Good looking motor, yeah I a big fan of 327's as well. I have 2 spare 68 blocks, but one is slated for the C10. The original 327 in my Camaro is one heck of a runner with factory 2.02 heads, Z/28 intake and carb and a 30/30 cam.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by CAMAROBOY68SS

Good looking motor, yeah I a big fan of 327's as well. I have 2 spare 68 blocks, but one is slated for the C10. The original 327 in my Camaro is one heck of a runner with factory 2.02 heads, Z/28 intake and carb and a 30/30 cam.

Nice...My buddy's sister had a '68 Camaro with a 327, 4 speed.....ran like a champ!
would you happen to have any pictures of the power steering brackets and which pulleys are required to add power steering?

[tutone]

Unlike the 283, the 327 flat top motors really wake up wit a set of high compression big valve heads and a low end tourque cam. It's argued that the bigger valves kill you at bottom end, but I have never found that to be true. I have a 327 large journal with low miles in wait for the 55 if things work out.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by tutone

Unlike the 283, the 327 flat top motors really wake up wit a set of high compression big valve heads and a low end tourque cam. It's argued that the bigger valves kill you at bottom end, but I have never found that to be true. I have a 327 large journal with low miles in wait for the 55 if things work out.

Looking inside with the bore-scope this motor has the flat top pistons with 4 valve reliefs...
It's probably going into the '68 step side for my Grandson.....it has a healthy 350(I think) now with a stall speed converter...
I don't want to wake it up too much for a 16 year old kid that hasn't had much driving experience....

[Steeveedee]

Rig it so that the throttle only opens 3/4 or so until he's used to it. If it has a four barrel, you can rig it so that the secondaries don't open, as well. Easier than a governor.

[425HP409]

I believe that your grandson will be more than happy for the 327, plus it is period correct.

[R.O.B.]

As I found out the hard way, 327's use short water pump pulleys and brackets, because the harmonic balancer is smaller than the long water pump SBC's.

I have mine for sale on OfferUp:
https://offerup.co/poBXO4FOKwb