Pros and Cons of putting a 327 back in my 68 Suburban

[Brewski*]

Hey Everyone,
Sorry I have not been around for a while I am very busy getting short-track skaters ready for the Olympics.
My 350 motor blew in my 68 burb. It originally came with a 327. I have not heard too may good storys about 327s but think that for restoration purposed I may go with a 327 from Hiperformer. They have a 350 with a 4 bolt main for not much more $$. I need some advise on the Pros and Cons of putting a 327 back in my 68 Suburban to Help me decide~! Let me know what you all think~!
Brew

[highboy_04]

in my opinion the 327 is a better motor. some people may feel different, but i think its a better choice. the rev alot faster. they may not have as much torque but they make up for it with revs and horsepower. just my opinion. goodluck, Steve

[bucket]

i like the 327. everyone has a 350.

[HeavyD]

There is always a 383 option as well. A Burb is heavy and can use lots of torque.

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by Brewski*

Hey Everyone,
Sorry I have not been around for a while I am very busy getting short-track skaters ready for the Olympics.
My 350 motor blew in my 68 burb. It originally came with a 327. I have not heard too may good storys about 327s but think that for restoration purposed I may go with a 327 from Hiperformer. They have a 350 with a 4 bolt main for not much more $$. I need some advise on the Pros and Cons of putting a 327 back in my 68 Suburban to Help me decide~! Let me know what you all think~!
Brew

There is no comparison, look at the old addage "no replacement for displacement" but if going for the Original theme then the 327 is the way. They are a great motor and hopped up the really sing, but the same money or less will get more out of a 350. The 383 can be had for not much more than a 350, so it boils down to what you want and how you plan to use it (drive/race/show). One step further, I'd bet you would be hard pressed to find someone who can ID any of the SBC's by looking at it. If you put the old intake with the filler neck in the front on a 383 you could have a nice sleeper!

[davidh]

I like 327's. Ive seen them behind old 60's cars with 4 speeds and they were really mean. It will only cost a tad more than a 350 to build. I've got one I'm putting in my 69 camaro soon. Flat-tops(hyperetectic sealed powers) comp cam and will top it off with vortec heads and a tremac 5speed. I think the car will be a blast to drive.

[davidh]

Oh, around here salvage yards will see 350's for $100 as rebuildable cores but the 327's they want more for. up to $300 sometimes. If they weren't good that wouldn't be the case.

[shelby987]

the 327 is just another version of the small block, which when properly built can handle almost anything you can throw at it.
The advantage of the 327 as mentioned is that it has a shorter stroke, and can stand higher RPM's as a result.
forgot to mention, the only problem you might have with the 327 is if you are trying to rebuild the original block....was it 67 or 68 when the full swap to larger main journals was made? If you have a small journal block, it will likely be a two bolt, in which case you can always have the block machined, and put in a splayed 4 bolt cap.

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by davidh

Oh, around here salvage yards will see 350's for $100 as rebuildable cores but the 327's they want more for. up to $300 sometimes. If they weren't good that wouldn't be the case.

I dissagree, the difference in price is simply that they have and still make 350 new from 69 on and the remaining 327's is all there is, therefor supply and demand. It's not that they are not "good" they just do not have all of the potential as a 350, and a 4-bolt main can be found with stock bores for cheap. If he has both the money would yeild more in the 350, unless he just want to say it has a 327 in it.

[qksilver]

The burb I got from &0rs/ss has the factory 327. Otherwise I would go with a 383 in a burb. Torque is what you need and want in a burb because of the weight. Horsepower and rpm aren't going to make up for a lack of torque without costing in gas and reliability. A well built 350 or 383 will be cheaper because of ease of finding good parts and availability.
Mike is right, to make it look factory is no big deal except for finding heads without the holes for the alt/ac/ps brackets.
Steve

[Brewski*]

The burb is a 1/2 ton bone STOCK. It only has 160k verified miles no dents very little rust (Arizona truck). It has a 4 speed with granny low so you only have 3 real gears. It also has 411s so I think I may go with the 327 with some of Summit's Camel hump heads that have the accessory holes. I have an edelbrock intake (chevy orange POR 15 paint to look factory) and a new 1406 carb for it.

[bucket]

i have a 4.11 rear behind my 327. it does rev up especially down the highway.

i like the idea of running an early small block (327,etc.) intake with the top front filler tube on a 383!

shelby987....the switch to large journal for the 327 was in 68.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by shelby987

the 327 is just another version of the small block, which when properly built can handle almost anything you can throw at it.
The advantage of the 327 as mentioned is that it has a shorter stroke, and can stand higher RPM's as a result.
forgot to mention, the only problem you might have with the 327 is if you are trying to rebuild the original block....was it 67 or 68 when the full swap to larger main journals was made? If you have a small journal block, it will likely be a two bolt, in which case you can always have the block machined, and put in a splayed 4 bolt cap.

All 327's were 2 bolt(large or small journal). The large journals could be built in a 4 bolt 350 block(done that). IMO, the 327 is the best sb that GM ever kicked out! I would go that route before the 350.....drop the rear gears south, wind it up, & see if that 355 can keep up with that old 331 .... L

[Brewski*]

I forgot it is a 4x4 also posi rear.The 350 seamed to rev alot down the highway too. I think I would rather have good highway ride more than anything that way I can go to long haul shows I may change out the gears if I go with the 327 and actually use granny as gear one. I have 3.73s in my 71 3/4 4x4 and it is OK down the highway but @ 80 it starts to hum I think I would go 3.5? Any help there also?
O' by the way I like stock and want to show it when it is done. So I am kinda thinkn the 327 may be the best bet.

[Brewski*]

3.55? vs 331? let me know how if you have them with a 4spd. and how the highway is. I think the granny low will work with either set.

[highboy_04]

355 is a .030 350 and a 331 is a .030 327. just to let you know he was talking about the motors not gears.