So,
I'm thinking with the 327 I'm buying off Carl, when I rebuild it I'd use some Vortec heads and intake. This would give me the hardened valve seats for running no lead gas..plus they flow well so I should pick up some nice HP...
So my question is this..is this a doable, inexpensive build....I'm not looking for huge HP numbers..but it's got to be better than the 307 that's in it now....
The gains from using the vortec heads have been documented to be in the 30 to 50 HP range as these are generally regarded as the best Gen I head available. Most documented builds using a carburetor utilize a good dual plane intake.
Good idea but you lose the original "look" underhood with the newer style valve covers and bolt holes in the end of the head.
If you don't mind that, go for it! The original "FI" heads on the engine don't command good money on the used market like they once did. At one point, they would bring about $300 pr around here.
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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
Good idea but you lose the original "look" underhood with the newer style valve covers and bolt holes in the end of the head.
If you don't mind that, go for it! The original "FI" heads on the engine don't command good money on the used market like they once did. At one point, they would bring about $300 pr around here.
prices on camel bumps , have bottomed! I dumped at the last ones I had at $100 for clean cores, and $200 for a clean set that needed a touch up.
ironically , I paid $200 for the vortec's a few years ago... and almost another $200 for the correct vortec intake !
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later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
I am interested in your build. I was given a 400 with a fresh .020 over bore and clean looking pistons. I have considered building a budget vortec engine out of it. I would buy the adaptor so I could run original looking valve covers and I would paint the intake orange to hide the vortec look. I would love to build a killer small block but $ is hard to spend on it right now. I might just go for the bumper guards I have been itching to buy. My 327 pulls nice.
-- Edited by Steve C on Sunday 5th of February 2012 11:27:38 PM
I have a buddy who has a '70 LT1 w/ vortec top end that was in his '69 camaro drop top.Of course it was pulled in favor of a BB(396). He then put it in his wife's Jeep. Go figure!?
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"No matter how much you change, you still have to pay for the things you've done".
Oh man, I hope I didn't pressure you Shawn. Do whatever you want with it. There's basically a plus and a minus to the Vortecs. Plus is the power increase, minus is the removal of the original appearance under the hood.
Bottom line is, your car, you have to do what makes you happiest.
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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
After seeing the engine and talking with Carl, if the heads are in good shape then they will stay, she'll get an L79 cam and Edelbrock intake...
May I suggest the Bowtie Intake. I ran this on my small block, it is the genuine GM Performance Part. I got mine for $65 brand new as a crate engine takeoff. Here is one on ebay right now. CLICK If you are going for originality underhood appearamce you'll need to make sure it accomodates the oil fill tube. I agree with your decison to go with the 327, however engine swaps can be tedious so good luck with it.
Looked at that intake, way more than I'm looking to spend. I've got a line on an Edelbrock for $80. This is a definite budget build. I'll be tearing down the 327 myself to get it ready for machining, then with a bit of help, building her back up..the big concern right now is just how much machining will she need. I'm hoping very little...
Carl any idea of how many miles are on her? Probably should have asked you that just for my own awareness...but no biggie..just gives me a bit of an idea what I might expect to see when we open her up...
Looked at that intake, way more than I'm looking to spend. I've got a line on an Edelbrock for $80.
Yes it is pricey, I got mine for $65 which was a lucky score on ebay. The Edelbrock performer is almost an identical design. The Dual Plane design as this is better suited to street use and provides good torque from off idle to 5,000 rpm.
Glad to know you have helpers, that is really what this is all about anyway, a bunch of guys working on cars and having fun doing it.
My Tip for the Sawp: Get a china marker and trace the hood hinge and bolt holes onto your hood. This makes it much easier to relaocte later.
Blackheart4355 wrote: Carl any idea of how many miles are on her? Probably should have asked you that just for my own awareness...but no biggie..just gives me a bit of an idea what I might expect to see when we open her up...
Hmm, he may have told me but I've long forgotten if so. I am not certain but I'd be willing to bet it's never been open just looking at it.
Usually on something like that, a .030 bore will do it and depending how regular oil changes were done, it may or may not need the crank cut. I have done a number over the years without cutting the crank. I hate cutting them if it's avoidable. Most people disagree with that idea but to me, the best crank is a standard one if at all possible.
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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
I really don't want to cut the crank, but will definitely get it checked to ensure it is good to go. My fear is the heads, I'm hoping that there are no cracks and that they are not warped. I was talking to my buddy that works at Walker Auto parts and he suggested a machine shop here in the city other than Piston Ring..so I'll contact them both and see who does a better job for the best price...
I have seen a few with cracks but not a lot. Don't let the machine shop tell you they are junk without seeing it with your own eyes. Years ago, a machine shop told my brother his rare heads were junk and when he went to get them, they said they'd thrown them away already...... Yeah right...
As far as warping, that would be rare on that style. Don't think I've ever seen a warped one.
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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
i know that technoloy has improved but that being said im still running a good set of 283 power pack heads which means plain 2bl heads on my 327 with the big cam 20hg of vacume and it pulls well past 5000 grand its no 350 hp engine but it has lots of grunt to pull big loads and you guys all know i still work these engines. it also runs on regular fuel with 10.7 to one compression
I did get a stand, paid $35 for it..regular $90..it was a pretty sweet deal. Just waiting for you to tell me when you think you might be able to bring the engine up so I can get to my buddy's garage to set up the stand...
Not looking hopeful this week Shawn. Between work, basketball, a funeral, my week is pretty much spoken for I'm afraid. So far next week looks better...
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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
