How rare was the 327, 4 on the floor combo

[ubtripn]

I had a 65 with a 292 as a kid and my Dad recently gave me a 66 327, 4 speed and I was wondering how rare this combo is? I also have a 68 where I do most of my postings but this is my next project and I am the 3rd owner, the truck is completly straight with all the chrome entact.

[kieth]

Pictures ? which 4 spd

[ubtripn]

I will have to get them, not sure what 4 speed. It's four on the floor with a very tight shift pattern. All original though. Steering wheel also has a half-moon type wire metal horn ring. (Or half ring may be more accurate.)

I just know that most came with six's which were indeed bullet-proof engines. I didn't know if the 327 was an upgrade. My 65 was 3 on a tree.

[ubtripn]

Were there different 4 speeds offerred?

[padresag]

no

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by ubtripn

Were there different 4 speeds offerred?

I'm assuming the question was is it an original granny transmission with the top shifter in the center, or a 4 speed passenger car transmission.

[ubtripn]

It is the original with the granny gear. I always start in 2nd gear.

[ubtripn]

So are these trucks rare at all or were there just as many 327's as six cylinders?

[jocko]

i don't have numbers handy - but I believe they (327's) were 66 only and were not real common - sure don't see many with them. If you're swapping trans to something non-original anyway, I'd sure throw something in that's more streetable and maybe with o/d - but then again, if pops just gave them to you - well, free is FREE! Can't beat that.

Personally, the 327 and ANY trans is my favorite combo. 4 on the floor makes a passenger 4-speed or a 5 speed an easy swap (even if the floor holes don't line up maybe??) because you've already got the correct column in there, etc.

The steering wheel you describe may be correct for 66 Deluxe wheel - but note that the 65 and earlier had a different deluxe wheel but still had a half moon horn ring... So, could be either. A quick pick and most on here could tell you right away. Better yet, here's 2 pics - 1st shows 66 wheel and 2nd shows 65 and earlier.

[ubtripn]

That first pic is mine that little symbol on the center of the cap is identical, same condition interior almost exactly minus the tackometer. So it sounds like this is a keep it stock truck since the numbers match and the condition is good. (The man inside me would sure like to add power disk brakes, steering and ac though.) I also notice that it doesn't have the fawn color interior like my 65 did.

[ubtripn]

One difference, my heater has three vertical switches.

[jocko]

yep, sounds like you have the "deluxe" heater. That's the top of the line. 66 dash was the rough or krinkle darker brown finish like in the first pic- 65 (and earlier) (if you had fawn) was the smooth paint that matched the rest of the interior, etc.

As for keeping it stock - I'd say do whatever you like with it. If you're stuffing in the 327, it's AN original motor, not THE original motor, so I'd have no reservations in doing whatever you like to it. Just because it is in pretty original condition - if you want to have fun with it and drive it - then go for it with disk brakes - nothing wrong with that in my opinion. I struggle with the same thing - and sold an old impala that i didn't have the heart to tinker much more on because it was a nut and bolt original big block 65, but my truck is my toy - i like it to "look" original, or almost (thus the 59 imp caps) and I like the changes to be subtle, but I think disk brakes, a/c, 5-speed (or o/d automatic like a 700R4, etc) are all worthwhile mods.

I'm sure some purists and restorers will cringe. My current dilemma - takin the T5 and stuffing it in - and then what to do with the column - the 3onthetree dog ears on the engine compartment side of the column interfere with my plans to install power (drum) brakes using CaptFab's bracket - so deciding whether or not to lop them off and weld a metal patch where I also cut off the column boss for the old shifter - OR - find another column to install and modify, i.e. save the original. Probably not a worthwhile endeavor since I'. gonna be cutting a hole in the floor and shortening the driveshaft... (Maybe I'll add a nice big euro spoiler above the rear of the bed too). JUST kidding.

[ubtripn]

Yeah, that is exactly where I struggle because it is the original 327 numbers matching. The truck is literally fully original.

The spoiler would be funny, I passed a guy driving something with fins from the 50's but he had modified them tho be so gigh they almost hit the stoplights.

[jocko]

OHHhhhh! I'm sorry, I mis-read your original post... I thought your Dad gave you a 66 327 and 4 speed ONLY, i.e. just those parts. Now I see he actually gave you a whole original truck with that combo in it. My bad - and that does cahnge things a bit. I might think twice before modifying that one like I mentioned above...

[kieth]

for what it is worth the 327 was also available in 1965. I have one with the original data plate tag and it shows the 327 on the plate....

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/65-C...6_WgDsDZx-A-LB

[Shaky]

I believe the only 4-speed you could get in a 1/2 ton truck in '66 was the SM420 (granny 1st).

My truck came from the factory with the 327/TH400 combo. When I bought it was gone and replaced with 350/TH350.

[ubtripn]

Man that is sad, a 327/TH400 would be a GREAT combo! I would love to drop a 700r4 in mine with a floor shifter and just keep the original tranny and shifter in the attic. If I can make changes that can be changed back to stock then I don't feel to bad but I don't know if the 700R4 would line up.

The guy who owned it before my Dad had a camper on it with carpet over the wood so it is in pretty good shape as well. Actually, I think the only thing he did was put a second fuel tank in it with a switch on the floor by the drivers seat. They didn't ever put two tanks in stock right?

[kieth]

Originally Posted by ubtripn

So are these trucks rare at all or were there just as many 327's as six cylinders?

I think the problem is that most of the 327 trucks were bought up much earlier and then used up. All I see these days are 6 cylinders because they were not as desireable to hot rodders........JMO

[ubtripn]

That woud seem right, plus that six cylinder (292) I had could have circumnavigated the earth 10 times. Buletttttttt-proof!