Ok, my 327 in the Gp is all original, never been worked on from what I can tell. Problem is, I think the rear main seal is leaking, she's dripping pretty good from the inspection cover and she puffs good on startup telling me the valve seals are wasted. The block is filthy, and it's driving me nuts that although original, the engine compartment looks pretty tired as well. Not sure if it's not just a result of a dirty carb, a old tranny with a highway gear, but she feels rather sluggish. As much as I'd hate to unbolt it, I think she might be due for a overall freshening up in both engine and compartment.
So...I could pull the 327 and install my HO350. It needs a good run anyway and It'll bolt right in for the most part. I'd keep the headers on and connect the duals to them. Make the changes to run the 12SI alternator and bobs your uncle. Even the PS pump will connect right up. I could even run mid-grade fuel in the HO. Original rad might be an issue.
I'd do the freshening on the 327 while the HO takes it's place and put it all back when it's done...I promise.
Good or bad idea? Poor forethought? Leave it all alone?
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
It depends on what Mark wants! lol quicker to pull trans down and fix rear seal add some valve seals some degreaser nice black and orange paint 1 weekend... or what ever you want that HO sure is pretty....
Honestly though, what makes your car so cool is the originality part. How many miles a year do you want to drive it? Is it so bad it's not good for a couple of thousand a year as is?
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Well Mark, a little opinion here. I would just fix up your problem with the 327. I think that HO350 is destined for your rag resto. You might be a bit dissappointed placing your 327 back after having your new engine in the car. If your able to get the engine and compartment cleaned up that's just a bonus. By the way I love the look of your HO350. Just have a good sleep on it.
How many miles on the GP? If approaching 80,000 I'd say it really needs a complete rebuild (they just did not design and build motors to last as long back then). Not just seals but rings and bearings too. Also timing chain, distributor bushing, lots of things subject to wear. Plus crud in cooling passages, carbon on pistons, the list goes on. All fixable!
What is your intended use of the car? I assume it is not a daily driver? I think it would be a herculean task to pull the 327 and install the 350 and have it running over the course of a weekend if you had to use it to go back to work on Monday. Me and another guy pulled my 396 and put in a 454 in my 66 Chevelle over a weekend but we did not have to do any fabrication (like hooking up headers) and we did it in a fully-stocked service station so we could just walk a few feet and get any minor part that we needed (like belts, hoses, clamps, bolts, whatever). If you are pressed for time you might want to use the 327 exhaust manifolds on the 350 and save those pretty headers for the final use of the 350.
Is your GP pretty much 100% stock (except for obvious things like heater hoses, battery, tires, other things that wear out)? If so, I'd defiinitely rebuild the 327 and make it and the engine compartment like new. If money is available, of course. Even though I am not going that route with my current project, I have on others, and there is a certain pride in saying "it's all original" eh?
I hear you about the engine compartment. Mine drives me nuts, I've done the core support while the radiator was out for replacement and the part of the firewall where the master cylinder was (when I installed the new brakes) but you just can't get at everything well enough to get it really clean and then nicely painted with the motor in the way. (I only had time to clean, not paint, my 66 Chevelle engine compartment over the weekend.)
So there's another set of thoughts.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
I agree. Fix the leak, clean up the engine compartment, put your duals on and then go back to working on the convertible. From what I remember when you came over, the car ran quite well. The nice weather is coming..
I agree wholeheartedly that you should do what you have to with the ol' gal to keep her roadable. As Todd said, the nice weather is coming and the last thing you wanna be doing is having 2 cars to fix without having one to toodle around in. You'll be glad you did it that way I'll just bet. Good luck, but most of all, have fun!
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
the only thing worse, than one unfinshed (non-running)car 