How to build a 57 in 1000 easy steps

[Bubba54]

bobinbc, Thanks for the info on the cam. I still need to put some thought to my cam selection. I put it together so long ago I dont have the specs. I think it had 292 duration and about a 500 lift. I too just wont a little better idle and better vac.

Motor turned out real nice. Bummer about the motor freeze!

Thanks Shawn

[Kim57]

Engine looks nice.
Kim

[bobinbc]

So I picked a cam and assembled the engine for real this time. Went with a "good idle, lots of vacuum, power from 1500-5000" type of cam. Should make it a little easier to tune the dual carters and still give lots of snap around town. Did all the calculations, static compression is 9.5-1 and my dynamic compression ratio with this cam worked out to 8.25-1, perfect for a street engine. Here's a link to this handy calculator http://www.kb-silvolite.com/calc.php?action=comp
Dropped the engine onto the mounts, test fit and shimmed the starter while it was easy to see the tooth engagement with the ring gear from behind, and then bolted up the rebuilt 700R4. The just for giggles I threw the headers on to check the fit. Also bolted up the power brake pedal and booster assembly and checked for interference with the headers and crossmember, everything was jake. So far so good, 971 steps to go...

[Kim57]

Looks real nice.
Kim

[Bubba54]

bobinbc, truck buid is looking nice. I too have a 327 motor, Its a small journal motor. While I have it out on the stand Im going to cam it down a bit. Just wondering what cam you selected.

Thanks Shawn

[Baldeagle SR]

I am with you. I like it.
Rich

[bobinbc]

Bubba54 this engine is the small journal version too, that was one of the reasons I was attracted to it. I had never seen a small journal 327 factory crate engine before. The cam I chose was a RV cam really, a CompCams Extreme Energy 256H. I will be using a 700R4 trans, stock converter and I want it to run smooth and strong right from idle and cruise at about 1800-1900 rpm.

If I want more I have a biggish hydraulic roller cam that I can put into it, but that will mean pulling the heads for some more work to fit bigger springs, screw-in studs etc. Going to go small for now and see if I like it...

[Kim57]

that engine looks sweet in there.
Kim

[rusty76]

Darn. Hopefully nobody was hurt. Sorry for the loss.

[Kim57]

That's a shame.
Kim

[bobinbc]

Here's what it looked like when I sold it, ready to blow apart for paint.

[dsraven]

hey bob, just curious if you remember what was behind the front bumper on that gmc. it has been so long since I took mine apart I don't remember what the panel looks like that connects the 2 fenders together at the bottom. there is bolt holes there so it must have had something. the rea is covered by the bumper and the extension of sheet metal behind the bumper. maybe just a flat panel?

[bobinbc]

I had a look on my red 56.There is a panel and it is mostly flat but not completely. It is different than the one on a chevy

[59chev]

Oh Man, that 327 was sweet!! I searched Kijiji for over 2 years before I found my small journal 327 for my project.

[dsraven]

ok, thanks bobinbc, appreciated. at least i know what to look for kinda.