Factory 327 engine
 

Pulled our 63 327 apart today and found some interesting grind marks on the crank. Has anyone else seen marks like this?
The pan looked like it had never been removed. A bad casting at factory?
When we rebuilt our power-glide a few months ago it had some grind marks under the valve body and had been welded on the case by the band servo.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Pics

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

That is definitely a messed up looking crank. Maybe that was done to get the crank in balance specs? I don't think a '63 327 would have come with a double roller timing chain.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

I 2nd ^^^^, plus I surely think it was done after it left the factory.
S

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

pull the bearings on at least one rod & main. they will have a have a manufacture on them and a date. that will tell you if anyone has ben in there before. I just pulled apart a 63 SHP 327(it's on ebay now ) with no serial numbers on the front pad, and even though I know it was been where it was for the past 40+ years, I was told it was never apart yet I found the bearings were dated 75. Crossy

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

It's been apart previously. Your last photo shows a stamping on one of the counterweights.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Just so you know that's a forged crank. You can tell by the wide parting line on the rod throw.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

I was thinking the same thing.
Possibly or maybe for clearance.
I did not think it would have a roller chain either but the 63 data book shows that it would.

I would have thought so to but this engine still had most of the original paint intact.

I will next weekend. This engine is out of a original truck and it still had most of the original green paint so I don't think it has been apart.

The factory would not have stamped it? I will get the stamping and post them.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Yes already looked that up.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Please explain "wide parting line"

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Here are some more pics.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

And a few more

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

One counter weight is stamped (2) 3 times
One is stamped 5
One is stamped 8
One is stamped G

Also one of the counter weights has a chalk check mark on it.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

My powerglide case a weld on it too, about 1" long.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Yes ours was about an 1" long as well. Might have been a common problem but seemed interesting.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

If you don't see what it was grinding against in the oil pan or block, chances are it was a crude attempt to remove metal for balancing. Pretty crude. Probably still usable but i would have the engine balanced if you rebuild it- and checked for cracks. Something got medieval on that crank!

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

No grinding on the other parts just the crank so you are probably right. I will defiantly have it checked out.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Lookit the second pic in post #11. The wide line on the rod throw that runs 12 oclock to 6 oclock that has the horizontal grind marks on it is the "Parting" line where the forge dies stamped the crank from it's billet. It looks to be 1/2" wide or so. Cast cranks have a very narrow & sharp parting line where the form is broke away from the crank. Cast & forged cranks will have a distinctly different tone when struck with a metallic object.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

"forged cranks will have a distinctly different tone when struck with a metallic object."
I knew that but all the hitting on my screen did NOT result in the tone that I am familiar with LOL
Did not know about the parting though

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

All small journal 327 cranks were forged IIRC

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Factory small journal rods had 5/16" rod bolts. Those appear to be 3/8" from the pics. What size socket fits on the nut?

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

On the roughest part of the throws you will see the parting line as either 3/8" wide(forged) on very thin like 1/16"(cast)

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

Some of those pictures almost look like the crank counterweights were "knife-edged," which is an old racer's trick to reduce windage as the crank goes through oil.
It's a lot more crude in places than I've ever seen before, but it definitely looks like it.
That first series of pics also looks like material was missing from the side of the counterweight, like it was a void in the casting, or metal flaked off.

If it balances (which seems hard to believe), and isn't cracked, there's no reason not to run it.
-Brad

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

I think it would be a good idea to have a machine shop check the balance and for cracks. If it is ok run it, well, as long as it can be turned and cleaned up.

Re: Factory 327 engine
 

HAHAHA! Hope you didn't hit it too hard & it's not your WIFE'S computer!:waah: