Facts: body off, '63 327/340 with the correct alum intake, Carter AFB carb.

Rebuilt the engine from scratch. Started up and ran like a charm. After a while, I was in the process of getting the timing set up and noticed sludge seeping out of the overflow outlet in my new alum radiator. Checked the oil fill and it was milky white on the dipstick.

After pulling the intake, it appears that either the gasket around the rear water jacket didnt seal (FELPRO gaskets) or the manifold is warped (havent put a straight edge to it yet).

I have had all kinds of issues with this intake (picked it up used). I cracked it while installing the filler tube (my fault--got it fixed) but it has a stripped water neck thread and a stripped dristributor hold down. I am very tempted to substitute with something else and looking for suggestions. I would like to keep my carburetor (had it rebuilt) and everything else stock looking. Edelbrock Performer #2101 looks to be a stock replacement. Any suggestions?

Secondly, any thoughts on water getting into the lifter valley? I am hoping that it just didnt seal correctly but after draining the oil....it is pretty white. Doesnt really explain how it got into the water passages and my radiator. I can see on the heads where it has surface rusted at the rear and appears to be leaking into the lifter valley.

I am praying that there isnt a crack in the block. Be gentle 'cause I'm having a bad day.

 

You have classic case to be solved by process of elimination. With water and oil mixing, you might have a head gasket/head problem. The intake may be a part of this, but not the main culprit. The Edelbrock 2101 is a good choice. Dennis

 

I am hoping it is just a gasket issue. The heads were machined and rebuilt by a highly recommended machine shop here in Dallas so I am hoping the heads arent an issue.

Will the Performer RPM fit under stock hood or will I run into problems later when the body is back on?

 

Edelbrock Performer RPM will NOT fit under your hood properly. I did have to go to a 6 inch round air cleaner (cut the base off the air cleaner and modify a Holley carb. I finally changed mine back to a Performer 2101. It is on a SBC 350 engine.
Good luck

 

Thanks, that's what I thought.

I think the leak actually may be on the head gasket. See pictures below. This looks like the culprit doesnt it?

 

But why did it happen? Incorrect gasket, incorrect torque sequence/amount, or are the head bolts bottoming out or incorrect length. Just for the hecht of it, lay a straight edge on them. Dennis

 

Correct gasket, bolts didnt bottom out, i thought correct sequence but it seems like ages ago. I was hoping for confirmation that the leak appears to be at the head gasket.

I'll lay a straight edge on it when I take the head off tomorrow.

 

Assuming you have a DeWitts reproduction aluminum radiator, it doesn't have an overflow outlet - the only outlet (at the top right) is for the pressurized balance hose to the main portion of the expansion tank. The only overflow in the system is from the neck on the expansion tank.

 

Why won't it? Air Gap RPM fits under a stock SB hood with room to spare.

 

mikeyandem1..... I do know the Performer RPM on my 350 did not fit.
The hood hit the edge of the 14" air cleaner with a 1 1/8" air filter. I had to sell the Edelbrock carb and replace it with a Holley. I had to grind down the top of the Holley and cut the bottom of the 6" air cleaner. It really looked 'tacky'.
I replaced it with an Edelbrock 2101 and now the 14" air cleaner works with a 1 1/8" filter.
I believe the Edelbrock website states that a Performer RPM will not work on a midyear Vette.
Just my .02.

 

i may be wrong, but i think it depends on your springs. if the are old and
soft then you have less room under the hood for dif intakes. jmho jim

 

Any thoughts on the Edelbrock 2703 with the front mounted oil fill tube? Will my existing oil fill tube fit?

The note says that later model water necks wont fit because of clearance? Any one have an issue with using the original thermostat housing?

 

I assume he replaced the springs since he is doing a body off... also, depends on the base of the air cleaner. But it's possible.

 

All,

Glad I found this thread. I'm making plans for a new engine for my '63 driver. I'm looking to use a 350 Vortec with the GM #12366573 intake manifold and an Edelbrock carb. I figured if I tried to mimic the 327/340hp engine, hood clearance shouldn't be a problem.

How does the intake compare in height (at the carb pad) with something like an original 327/340hp intake? My car is currently 327/250hp, so the performance upgrade would be quite nice.

mikeyandem1 says an RPM air-gap fits, but cares says Performer RPM will not fit. Is it a problem a with drop-base air cleaner? 1 1/8" filter doesn't sound very big to be causing hood clearance problems.

Thanks in advance,

-Dave

 

Springs don't affect engine hood clearance.

 

Narlee is correct... springs don't affect hood clearance but engine mounts do. When I replaced my mounts during a rebuild of my 327, I couldn't shut my hood without hitting the 14" dia air cleaner. I have a vintage Holley Street Dominator single-plane manifold which I had to machine down (on a slight angle) to fit after the engine mounts were replaced and I now have room for a 2" high K & N filter with my Holley 4160 in place using a 3/4"drop air cleaner base.