Engine Question

[Over_My_Head]

I recently found out that my truck came with a 307 engine in it. Being that I am not really a GM guy I have never heard of this engine.

I was told that I have a 350 sb put I am not sure of it's condition.

Is a 307 a good engine?

Are they rare?

Would it be worth looking for one or should I stick with 350s?

Let me know your opinions.

Thanks

Trevor

[Truckstr]

307 rare? Not hardly.

They are not that bad of an engine, just not what one would call "high performance".

The 307 is basically the 283 block with a 327 crank. It basically allowed GM to clean out the parts bins of otherwise obsolete parts after the 283 and 327 were being phased out in favor of the 350.

I had a 307 in a Chevelle once ('69 model. Wish I still had her). I changed out the powerglide for a TH400 that I had and plopped on a Q-jet from a '72 Monte Carlo. I raced a GS400 Buick once and the Buick beat me, but not by much.

Hunt down a 350. Theya re plentiful and reasonably priced. Or you could go for a Big Block if ya have the dough.

Good luck!
Jeff

[Randy70C-10]

Keep the 350. 307 was a weak engine.

[sam's 72]

To see what engine you have, look at the engine, on passanger side, way in the back, were the tranny bolts up. There will be a flat spot, angleing down, on this flat spot will be some numbers, they should be raised numbers. write them down, and look them up on mortec.com, you should be able to identifie the engine that away.

I would choose the 350 over the 307, like the other post reads, the 307 is ok, but if your looking for a little more performance, I would go with the 350.
Sam

[ckhd]

Actually, that number only gives you part of the story. Look on the block behind the alternator (passenger side). There will be a stamped number just in front of the head on a machined surface (stamping number). That number will give you more of an idea. Use it with the other number off the back of the block (casting number), and you should be able to find out exactly what it is.

Post both numbers on here and we will help you decode.

[mikep]

The 307 wasnt really a mix of 327 and 283 parts. It happens to have the same bore as the 283 and the same stroke as the 327 but thats the only things that are the same. The rods are different, the pistons are different, the block is different and the cranks are different than all but the 327 cranks from 1968. It was conceived as a small displacement, fuel economy minded long stroke , narrow bore engine that would be good with emissions and have enough torque to get out of its own way certainly at the expense of overall horsepower. This was done during the overall small block redesign in 67-68. It was a niche the 305 would fill in later years .

[crazy longhorn]

Well, the 305 never had the potential that the 307 had. Way back in the day, the bucks down racers were building that 307"stroker" by running the 327 crank, & aftermarket pistons. These were small journal engines, unlike the factory 307 ........but set up properly in a lite car/ truck, they ran pretty d@mn good!

[Over_My_Head]

Thanks for the info guys. It is great to hear the history of these things.

It is quite cold here and I am busy but I will get those numbers off the block and post them this weekend.

Thanks agian

Trevor