Rebuilding 327

[69ChevySB]

Hi folks, I want to rebuild my 327 motor, but I have a few questions...It is a 327 block with 350 heads, so would it be hard to build?

could I do it with 500? because right now I have 500, and if i'm going to pay more I might as well buy a rebuilt motor.

How should I go about doing this? anyone can help me out? im in arizona..
also whats the cheapest a good rebuilt motor goes for?

[70 longbed]

69chevysb,

I am not the subject matter expert here, but I think that you can rebuild a 350 cheaper than you can rebuild a 327. I know that did not answer your basic question , but there are people out there that want the 327 for their particular application, and are willing to pay for it.

Then buy or rebuild you a 350. As far as price goes, it depends on what you want to end up with; horesepower equals money, but I think that you can do a basic rebuild in that $500 range.

[Bhull2]

It is hard to find 327 rebuild kits that are not forged pistons. The 350 rebuilt would most likely be cheaper if you are looking for just the basics for rebuild (rings, bearings, cam).
I was in the same situation as you in college, ended up selling the 327, and buying and building a 350 with the money!

[70 longbed]

69chevysb,

Where are you in AZ? I have a 350, just pulled it out of my 70, I think it is a 4 bolt , can check tonight. I also have a 2 bolt that I have rebuilt already. The rebuilt is around 375-385 hp, but would be more like $1200. I am getting ready to put it in my truck, but could rebuild the other, as I am not quite ready anyways.

If you are interested in either, let me know.

[Long Knight]

70 Longbed is right about how much you can put into your rebuild. I dumped over $1200 into mine and MUCH more time than I care to admit. That price only includes machine work and the rebuild kit. Did the rubuild with a friends help. Did I get a good engine? Yes. Would I get a crate engine next time? Yes. And take the money I saved and add on some rubber smoking extras. just my $.02

[jmanz69]

A 327 is a great motor. I am rebuilding one for my truck. To answer your question, a large journal 327 is a 350 block with a 327 crank. It uses different pistons, but that's about it. Almost everything you would buy for a 350 will work on a 327. However if you have a small journal 327 then it's a little different. But not much. The first time I had this engine rebuilt it cost me about $1100. I had someone else do it and it came out with about 350-375 HP. I am going to do it this time and try to get the same numbers or more. So far in parts and machine work, I have about $300. That was to get the block tanked, bored, and honed, the crank turned and the cam bearings installed. I also had to buy new pistons, which you can get for about $120. All I need now is a bearing set, and a cam. I figure I can do it for around $700 without doing the heads. I am going to put Vortec heads on or aluminum ones. It will be cheaper than a crate motor. And it will be better than the standard "I got a 350 in my truck" line that everyone seems to have. Like a 350 is some sort of godsent engine. I say keep the 327 and build it up. If you do some shopping, you could come close to your $500 limit.

By the way, that new 5.3L engine inthe new GM trucks is just a newer design 327... Just something to think about.

jmanz69