Chevy 427 BB - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71elect · 09-16-2003, 12:57 AM

I came across an ad for a used Chevy big block 427 engine that ran when it was pulled. Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a "Truck" motor and the "Passenger" motor. I'm hoping that its a passenger car motor but I'm not sure of how to tell the difference between the two. Any ideas on prices.

Thanks,
Josh

Hooter · 09-16-2003, 02:18 AM

best way is to get the vin, also measure the shaft of the distrubutor shaft length, it will be longer on a tall deck motor as opposed to a regular engine

ckhd · 09-16-2003, 09:18 AM

Depending on the year, it might have a dual thermostat if it's a tall deck. Two thermostats under one waterneck.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 09-16-2003, 02:25 PM

Get the block number and look it up on www.mortec.com

71elect · 09-16-2003, 06:15 PM

Thanks guys,
I'll see if I can get the block number.
Josh

*Randy70C-10* · 09-16-2003, 07:34 PM

I thought that all 427's were car engines?

RAT-AT-TACH · 09-16-2003, 07:38 PM

my dad has a 427 in his 5ton freight truck and he was telling me the oil pans are bigger on the truck motors.

is this true?

miket · 09-16-2003, 08:48 PM

There are two blocks....and I would definitely get the numbers and run against mortec...they do show 366 and 427 tall deck wich is 10.2".

Good luck...let us know what you find.

Longhorn Man · 09-16-2003, 11:07 PM

I have a question that may make figuring it out real easy.
Are the distributors interchaingable between a small block and a big block? I think i read that they are, but I want verification from you guys.
If they do interchainge, then grab an extra one and see if it'll fit. (the tall deck is...well, taller.)

miket · 09-16-2003, 11:12 PM

take a look here

**breeh** · 09-16-2003, 11:14 PM

Yes. small block and short deck big blocks can share a distributor. Only possible differences would be springs.

Longhorn Man · 09-16-2003, 11:33 PM

So bring a spare dist allong with you and see if it fits.
I waould stay away myself if it is a tall deck.

71elect · 09-17-2003, 12:54 AM

I got the #'s printed out from MORTEC that list both the tall decks & the short decks. I'm hoping that when I see the block numbers it'll be a short deck.

Hey miket, thanks for the link to the sight. Interesting to know that the industry is starting to build Hi performance items for the higher production number tall deck blocks.

Quote from "HOTRODDERS BULLETIN BOARD"

Quote:

All the parts are pretty much the same for the 427 tall block and short
block, except the intake manifold and distributor. Since the tall block is a
truck engine, it is going to have some real clunky pistons (4 rings instead of
3), a real sluggish cam and a distributor with governor. A good set of
pistons, mild cam and aftermarket distributor will make the engine run pretty
well. Used to be that you would have to use spacers to run a decent intake
manifold but there are now tall block manifolds available from Dart and
others. As I recall the truck engine used a huge water pump too, pass car
pump can be installed. Have fun.

Thanks guys,
Josh

junkyardjohn · 09-17-2003, 10:03 AM

COME ON YOU GUYS ...... I DIDN'T REPLY TO THIS THREAD AT FIRST BECAUSE I THOUGHT FOR SURE SOMEONE WOULD COME UP WITH AN ANSWER PRETTY QUICK.
THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGULAR CAR BBC & A TALL DECK TRUCK MOTOR IS THE DECK HEIGHT.
FROM THE CENTER LINE OF THE CRANK TO THE DECK IS 9.8" ON A STANDARD 427 , AS COMPARED TO 10.2" ON A 366 OR 427 TRUCK MOTOR (TALL DECK). IT'S EASY ENOUGH TO TAKE A SCALE, RULER OR MEASURING TAPE & MEASURE IT.

jimfulco · 09-18-2003, 12:11 AM

Doesn't the car/lt.truck block say "HI PERF PASS" on it?

71elect · 09-18-2003, 08:46 PM

Well..... I was hoping. It's a truck block. The guy pulled it out of a 74' Heavy duty potato truck. Oh well.

Thanks for all of the input guys,
Josh

bigjimzlll · 09-18-2003, 08:50 PM

ummm...if its not a truck block...and ofcourse if you done want it...I might be able to use it....of course I would be doing you a favor(J/K)

71elect · 09-18-2003, 08:59 PM

Quote:

ummm...if its not a truck block...and ofcourse if you done want it...I might be able to use it....of course I would be doing you a favor(J/K)

Yea too bad it's just a truck block. Otherwise I'd just have to send the passenger version your way. Too many speeding tickets in my future I would venture to say. LOL hehehe

palallin · 09-19-2003, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71elect
Well..... I was hoping. It's a truck block. The guy pulled it out of a 74' Heavy duty potato truck. Oh well.

Thanks for all of the input guys,
Josh

well, you ARE putting it in a truck, right?

09-16-2003, 12:57 AM	#1
71elect Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern Idaho Posts: 59	Chevy 427 BB I came across an ad for a used Chevy big block 427 engine that ran when it was pulled. Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a "Truck" motor and the "Passenger" motor. I'm hoping that its a passenger car motor but I'm not sure of how to tell the difference between the two. Any ideas on prices. Thanks, Josh __________________ 72Chevy swb 4x4 71GMC swb 2x4

09-16-2003, 02:18 AM	#2
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	best way is to get the vin, also measure the shaft of the distrubutor shaft length, it will be longer on a tall deck motor as opposed to a regular engine __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

09-16-2003, 09:18 AM	#3
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Depending on the year, it might have a dual thermostat if it's a tall deck. Two thermostats under one waterneck. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

09-16-2003, 06:15 PM	#5
71elect Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern Idaho Posts: 59	Thanks guys, I'll see if I can get the block number. Josh __________________ 72Chevy swb 4x4 71GMC swb 2x4

09-16-2003, 08:48 PM	#8
miket Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,466	There are two blocks....and I would definitely get the numbers and run against mortec...they do show 366 and 427 tall deck wich is 10.2". Good luck...let us know what you find. __________________ FocuzTech Performance Evergreen Protective Coatings Gatorhyde...the best kept secret in spray in bed lining & protection

09-16-2003, 02:25 PM	#4
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	Get the block number and look it up on www.mortec.com

09-16-2003, 07:34 PM	#6
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	I thought that all 427's were car engines?

09-16-2003, 07:38 PM	#7
RAT-AT-TACH Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: shawnigan lake b.c. canada Posts: 287	my dad has a 427 in his 5ton freight truck and he was telling me the oil pans are bigger on the truck motors. is this true?

09-16-2003, 11:07 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I have a question that may make figuring it out real easy. Are the distributors interchaingable between a small block and a big block? I think i read that they are, but I want verification from you guys. If they do interchainge, then grab an extra one and see if it'll fit. (the tall deck is...well, taller.)

09-16-2003, 11:12 PM	#10
miket Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,466	take a look here __________________ FocuzTech Performance Evergreen Protective Coatings Gatorhyde...the best kept secret in spray in bed lining & protection

09-16-2003, 11:14 PM	#11
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Yes. small block and short deck big blocks can share a distributor. Only possible differences would be springs. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

09-16-2003, 11:33 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	So bring a spare dist allong with you and see if it fits. I waould stay away myself if it is a tall deck.

09-17-2003, 10:03 AM	#14
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	COME ON YOU GUYS ...... I DIDN'T REPLY TO THIS THREAD AT FIRST BECAUSE I THOUGHT FOR SURE SOMEONE WOULD COME UP WITH AN ANSWER PRETTY QUICK. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGULAR CAR BBC & A TALL DECK TRUCK MOTOR IS THE DECK HEIGHT. FROM THE CENTER LINE OF THE CRANK TO THE DECK IS 9.8" ON A STANDARD 427 , AS COMPARED TO 10.2" ON A 366 OR 427 TRUCK MOTOR (TALL DECK). IT'S EASY ENOUGH TO TAKE A SCALE, RULER OR MEASURING TAPE & MEASURE IT. __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

09-18-2003, 12:11 AM	#15
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Doesn't the car/lt.truck block say "HI PERF PASS" on it?

09-18-2003, 08:46 PM	#16
71elect Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern Idaho Posts: 59	Update Well..... I was hoping. It's a truck block. The guy pulled it out of a 74' Heavy duty potato truck. Oh well. Thanks for all of the input guys, Josh __________________ 72Chevy swb 4x4 71GMC swb 2x4



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09-18-2003, 08:50 PM	#17
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	ummm...if its not a truck block...and ofcourse if you done want it...I might be able to use it....of course I would be doing you a favor(J/K) __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

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