Live and learn... bought a 327

[scuderia]

Picked up a 327 from a fella who was selling a model A project.. I'm comfortable enough with the engine build/history though I maybe should have done a little more research before pulling the trigger.
The engine is from a '68 camaro with 462 camel hump heads.. As it was for a model A I worked out a deal to not buy some bits that I didn't need.
So what I have is a motor without intake, carb, water pump, starter, alternator and fuel pump. Oh, no exhaust manifolds either.
The engine has flat top pistons, bored .030 over but I don't know the cam (believe to be stock replacement but I haven't checked)
Not realizing that '68 was a change over year I could use some info or suggestions on the following:
Intake
Carb
Water pump short or long?
Alternator brackets (the camel hump heads don't have any holes for brackets)
PCV/breather system (guess script valve covers are off the table)
Exhaust manifolds (prefer not to go with headers)
Timing cover which original one do I need as it currently has an aftermarket aluminum which I'm going to change (8" balancer)
Guess that's a start, appreciate any help.

[jdl71]

I have some script valve covers with punched holes, so they do exist. If not, it's a simple matter of finding a 7/8 drill bit. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[notsolo]

What was the plan with the 327, are you trying to keep it as stock as possible? There could have been different options for different yr trucks. Did the trucks have 2bbl's or 4 bbl's or was that an option. I may have some of what you need, front pulleys etc, my 62 came with a 327 out of a 67 ? not going to use it. I can get you some photo's of parts early next week...LMK...Ed

[Captainfab]

A '68 Camaro 327 should have originally came with heads that had the accessory bolt holes. All cars '68 and earlier came with short water pumps. All trucks '72 and earlier came with short water pumps. Considering you have 462 heads, going with a short water pump would be the best. The timing cover and balancer will need to work with a short water pump. The exhaust manifolds will depend on what you are installing the engine into. The typical rams horn exhaust manifolds have provisions to mount the alternator with the correct brackets. For intake and carb, that depends on what you want, a 2 bbl or a 4 bbl? Most 327's don't need more than a 600 cfm carb. A '68 small block would have had non-script valve covers with provisions for the PCV. All in all, your 327 is nothing special or odd, it is just a basic Gen I small block.

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by jdl71

I have some script valve covers with punched holes, so they do exist. If not, it's a simple matter of finding a 7/8 drill bit. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

would love to see a photo of what you have... have you added baffles behind the holes? thanks

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by notsolo

What was the plan with the 327, are you trying to keep it as stock as possible? There could have been different options for different yr trucks. Did the trucks have 2bbl's or 4 bbl's or was that an option. I may have some of what you need, front pulleys etc, my 62 came with a 327 out of a 67 ? not going to use it. I can get you some photo's of parts early next week...LMK...Ed

Plan is to keep it looking like it belongs in the truck so nothing fancy but not trying to pretend that it came with it either. Just a simple setup stock covers, manifolds etc. I'd love to see what you have, thanks a bunch.

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

A '68 Camaro 327 should have originally came with heads that had the accessory bolt holes. All cars '68 and earlier came with short water pumps. All trucks '72 and earlier came with short water pumps. Considering you have 462 heads, going with a short water pump would be the best. The timing cover and balancer will need to work with a short water pump. The exhaust manifolds will depend on what you are installing the engine into. The typical rams horn exhaust manifolds have provisions to mount the alternator with the correct brackets. For intake and carb, that depends on what you want, a 2 bbl or a 4 bbl? Most 327's don't need more than a 600 cfm carb. A '68 small block would have had non-script valve covers with provisions for the PCV. All in all, your 327 is nothing special or odd, it is just a basic Gen I small block.

Thanks for the response, I've been reading all your posts on the 327 (sounds like you've had quite a few and know them well.) The numbers on the block are for a '68 275 hp camaro but don't know if the heads are original to the block. I like the script covers but not going to loose any sleep if it's too much trouble to deal with venting. What's your favorite carb and intake setup? I use the truck mostly around town with an occasional run down the freeway. Currently I have a SM465 with either 3.73 or 4.11 gears (need to pull the cover and figure out which). With the 292 it's really not happy above 60-65 and prefers 50-55. Am I wrong to think the 327 will be better at 65-70 everything else remaining the same? Not sure what you mean about exhaust manifolds but the truck is a 66 SWB originally a 250 currently a 292. I was thinking the original style ram horns would be the way to go. Here's a pic. of the heads, what alternator brackets will I need?

[Dans1960SWB]

Some of the early ram horn exhaust manifolds had a part cast on the end that sticks out on the drivers side. It is made so you can mount the alternator to the end of the manifold. If that 327 had the original heads it would have holes drilled in the ends of the heads to mount the alternator.Along with this manifold you would need the bracket that bolts on. Now they also make a set-up like this that works with a header. It bolts to the front two header bolts and mounts the alternator. Along with this mount you will need an intake with the provision for the alternator bracket. It all kinda works together...

[notsolo]

A couple other idea's to think about ....Middle of this 1st video has a bone stock looking 283. Would be about the same depending on the look your going for...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVkkO0MyaTE also 65 327......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yovz3ITCph0

[geezer#99]

A 327 eh!!
What's the casting and suffix codes?
There's other ways to make script covers work.
Something like this.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366830

[cooperhw]

I have a complete 68 327 "truck" motor sitting on the ground in my backyard. Are you needing pictures? Measurements? I pulled it out of my 68 cause it has a miss. probably a burned valve as one of the rams horn manifolds was cracked completely in two. They wired it to hold it in place so they could get to their destination.
Let me know if there is something I can help you out with.

[PGSigns]

I have a nice set of the rams horns of my 66. I may have the brackets for the alternator. An aluminum intake painted the engine color will blend right in.
Jimmy

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

I have a nice set of the rams horns of my 66. I may have the brackets for the alternator. An aluminum intake painted the engine color will blend right in.
Jimmy

That'd be awesome! let me know. thanks

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

A 327 eh!!
What's the casting and suffix codes?
There's other ways to make script covers work.
Something like this.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366830

3914660 and the suffix is EA (L30 327/275 4 speed If I'm not mistaken).
As for Valve covers I like the tin ones but may not work out on this build...

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

I have a complete 68 327 "truck" motor sitting on the ground in my backyard. Are you needing pictures? Measurements? I pulled it out of my 68 cause it has a miss. probably a burned valve as one of the rams horn manifolds was cracked completely in two. They wired it to hold it in place so they could get to their destination.
Let me know if there is something I can help you out with.

Thanks!!

[61K10]

does the block have two holes at the rear of the block? one for the dist. and another for a pcv. a little can in the lifter valley?

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by 61K10

does the block have two holes at the rear of the block? one for the dist. and another for a pcv. a little can in the lifter valley?

nope, just one hole. looks like this one.

[Dans1960SWB]

All 283/327 up to 1967 had the breather. Then in 1968 they went to a large journal crank and no more breather..

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by scuderia

would love to see a photo of what you have... have you added baffles behind the holes? thanks

No baffles. I have not used these for anything yet, and don't even remember where I got them. There more I look at them they may in fact be home made.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by jdl71

No baffles. I have not used these for anything yet, and don't even remember where I got them. There more I look at them they may in fact be home made.

Yes.... Home made for sure.

[wilbur46]

Heads without holes would be 461s, 462s are the late replacement 2.02s ,but whatever.
Pick the waterpump by whatever pulleys you have in your pile.
I like the long ones as it allows mounting the alternator tucked in on the passenger side using all stock brackets. Without the threaded holes you need a custom bracket for the rear alternator mount. (ebay)
I would want to check the actual compression ratio (Utube how) before picking a cam. I"d like 9.5 to 1 on 91 Octane gas. HEI distro (the cheap hot coil ones are fine) block huggers fit everything and are cheap.
A 327 with an automatic would like a shorter cam (210D 460L 112 LC )
Performer and a 500 cfm .
Either cam really needs Z28 valve springs to go 5500rpm.
Oh yea-- if the timing chain is slack put a quiet gear drive in it!! The truck 4 speed is the limiting factor. Its LARGE.
Personally, I always buy the whole entire package.
Have fun!

[PGSigns]

I dig out my bracket box and see what I have. I know I have the manifolds and the plates for the pipes.
Jimmy

[Captainfab]

Sorry for the delay.

For an intake the Edelbrock Performer will work just fine. I like a 600cfm Holley on a 327, myself. For exhaust manifolds, the ramshorns typical for these trucks will work, or a set of the 2.5" Corvette rams horns would be sweet. The 327's will turn the higher rpm's with ease. The last one I had was in my '66 C20 with 4.57 gears. I didn't push it any harder than 65mph.

Originally Posted by scuderia

Thanks for the response, I've been reading all your posts on the 327 (sounds like you've had quite a few and know them well.) The numbers on the block are for a '68 275 hp camaro but don't know if the heads are original to the block. I like the script covers but not going to loose any sleep if it's too much trouble to deal with venting. What's your favorite carb and intake setup? I use the truck mostly around town with an occasional run down the freeway. Currently I have a SM465 with either 3.73 or 4.11 gears (need to pull the cover and figure out which). With the 292 it's really not happy above 60-65 and prefers 50-55. Am I wrong to think the 327 will be better at 65-70 everything else remaining the same? Not sure what you mean about exhaust manifolds but the truck is a 66 SWB originally a 250 currently a 292. I was thinking the original style ram horns would be the way to go. Here's a pic. of the heads, what alternator brackets will I need?

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Sorry for the delay.

For an intake the Edelbrock Performer will work just fine. I like a 600cfm Holley on a 327, myself. For exhaust manifolds, the ramshorns typical for these trucks will work, or a set of the 2.5" Corvette rams horns would be sweet. The 327's will turn the higher rpm's with ease. The last one I had was in my '66 C20 with 4.57 gears. I didn't push it any harder than 65mph.

Thanks again! Just grabbed this one based on some of your discussions with others http://tinyurl.com/og7v5ou was thinking of going with the edelbrock 1405 but you think the holley is a better choice?

update:
Coincidently I dug up an old holley today that a neighbor gave me awhile back to see what all it was.. looks to be a 4160 off a '66 vette (california smog model 585 CFM single metering block) same as this one http://tinyurl.com/prfav85
It's in nice shape but has been sitting for 20 odd years. Any reason to even consider getting it rebuilt and trying to use it? I'm looking for the best/easiest route to a good runner. I could care less about getting the most power.

[dracko]

I just finished rebuilding a '68 327 for my '64. It came with the stock valve covers and they don't have any holes for a PCV. I'm going to be running a set of the scripted covers. The engine vents out of the oil fill tube.

For exhaust I picked up a set of 3 1/2" corvette style ram horns. They look pretty stock but breath great and have an alternator mount cast into them. Got them from Summit I think.

Quadrajet carb, stock manifold. short water pump.