327 300 ID help

[32witha409]

I just picked up a nice 327 300hp (I think) engine but I am having trouble ID'ing the dates.

Block 3782870 K7 68
Heads 3782461 A 36 and L 35
Forged crank based on die parting line marks but not read number yet

I have found that the 870 was made from 62 - 65 some say till 67 but never in 68. The 68 in the K7 68 leads me to believe it is a 68. Also the heads don't date decode for me either. Probably just my detective work is wrong.

Hope you guys can help. Yall have been very helpfull on my 09......TIA Robert

 

[Don Jacks]

This thing sounds like parts have been changed around on a previous rebuild.1967 and prior engines have small journal cranks,68 and later were large journal.If this engine has a forged large jounal crank it could be,or have been built to 325 hp[replacement for the l-79 350 hp 327]Does it have 1.94-1.50 valves,or 2.02-1.6 valves,flat top or domed pistons.While I'm by no means a numbers guy,it just seems to me that the date code spread that you posted is awfully far apart for a production engine .Either way,with these heads,and a forged crank,you have the foundation for a nice little engine thereIf the crank is a large journal 327[3.25 stroke]you have a very rare piece there.Keep us posted,and good luck with your build.What are you going to put it in?

 

[W Head]

I D

The block was produced from 62 to 65--small journal crank
The heads were used on:283-61 Vett-275 & 315 HP
62 Vett-300-340 & 360 HP
62 thru 66 Passenger car high perf
63 thru 67 truck-- 63 thru 66 vett all 327 engines
64 thru 66 chevelle 4 BC hi perf
65-66 Chevy II 4 BC hi perf

Info from Chevy V-8 Book of Numbers
Hope this is what you are looking for

W Head

59 El Camino 348-3,2s
59 Impala 409-2,4s

 

[32witha409]

Thank's Don for the quick help.

The 3782870 327 block from what I have gleemed was never a LJ. I believe it to be a original assy because of what the PO alluded to when he bought it in 71"


My big question because from what I have read it was in production from 62-67 is what does the k7 68 decode to. Realy can't be 68....Right?

 

[32witha409]

The block was produced from 62 to 65--small journal crank
The heads were used on:283-61 Vett-275 & 315 HP
62 Vett-300-340 & 360 HP
62 thru 66 Passenger car high perf
63 thru 67 truck-- 63 thru 66 vett all 327 engines
64 thru 66 chevelle 4 BC hi perf
65-66 Chevy II 4 BC hi perf

Info from Chevy V-8 Book of Numbers
Hope this is what you are looking for

W Head

Thanks W,
I have a Chevy numbers book and it gave me the same info for the block so I was confused further when I tried to decode the date seeing the 68. Kendric motorsports listed it from 62-67. Is that correct?

I will post a photo of the block casting numbers later today. Maybe that will help with my self induced mystery.

 

[chevymusclecars]

That was the last small journal block so I'm sure they cast some later as replacements for warranty repairs. I know that in late 68 I purchased several 327 350HP short blocks for $200 each because they were excess inventory.

Colvin only talks about what he found to be used in production.

Bill

 

[32witha409]

Some Pictures

Thanks all,
I snapped some pix of the engine and the numbers. Maybe it can shed some more light on the deal. The pad was stamped but can't find and info more detailed. Would a dealer restamp the pad if the engine was replaced?

Pad stamp TII27SH

 

[32witha409]

What are you going to put it in?

It's going in the garage for now along with some other 409 parts I am collecting. Never know when a project appear. I ran across this looking in a International Harvester collectors yard. Go figure.

 

[oldskydog]

That's a Tonawanda block and if you look closely I think you will find that 68 is probably a poorly cast 63, just looks like an 8. I'm on the road so I don't have my references with me to check the SH suffix code, but the "S" tells you that it was a powerglide application and the 461 heads would be used on a 300 hp version.

 

[32witha409]

Thanks Cecil,
63 possible but I took a good hard look at it again and the 8 is formed pretty well.

Can the stamped number indicate a date?

Sure you can't answer now what it may be till you get back home.

Robert

 

[32witha409]

I found that the intake manifold # 3875954 indicates that it was on a 66 275 -300 hp so that kinda agrees with the heads.

 

[32witha409]

Cecil,
I am still interested in resolving my question/dilemma when you have the chance to dig through your information.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[oldskydog]

Cecil,
I am still interested in resolving my question/dilemma when you have the chance to dig through your information.

Thanks,
Robert

Robert,
I'm still looking.
I have no doubt that the block is a 63 as the 870 was last cast in 65 and 65 didn't use the "S" suffix codes. The SH suffix code is a strange one and have not yet found the application although the S indicates a powerglide application from 62-64. The S was a 250 hp pg, the SA was 250 hp pg with a/c and the SB was 300 hp with pg. There was a SG 300 hp pg with a/c in 63 car and the SK was a 250 hp pg in a 64 Corvette. It seems that the SH would be some other 63 pg application which I haven't been able to locate yet.
One possiblility might be some variation of the GM produced (by Cadillac) M-114 Armored Personel Carrier or scout vehicle. It originally came with a 283 in 62 and was considered underpowered so maybe they tried a 327 version in 63. I don't have any info on that but just a possibility. I discovered this oddball application when I was trying to find the application for an aluminum Winters casting WCFB intake that I have wth a 62 casting date. I knew it was never used in Chevy production, but wondered why and what it was used in.

 

[32witha409]

Thanks for digging for my oddball deal Cecil.

The engine is in my hangar so I'll go look at that 63 again. I suppose tearing it down could shine some light on the thing fron the crank date code. I did see the wide parting line with a bore scope through the dipstick hole but could not see a part number or date code.

Robert

 

[oldskydog]

I'm pretty sure all small journal 327's had forged cranks.....I know 62-63 did for sure. The nodular cast cranks came out in late 64 as I recall, in the 283.

 

[32witha409]

My model A coupe truck has a 327 homaphrodite, and a cast crank. Don't remember year for sure but think 67 is correct.