matthaney06

Hello from cool TX!

I have a new-er owner 65 convertible 327/350 with almost 90,000 miles. The car is numbers matching with white exterior, red dash and carpets with white seats as ordered from the factory. The car has been painted once and to my knowledge the engine has not been bored or altered.

This is not a show car, rather a driver, but in good shape.

One of the cylinders has low compression and there appears to be some damage to one cylinder head, same side with low compression cylinder.

I am debating on have the engine rebuilt, with an in-series numbered head, which I have already, or to pull the original motor and install a 350/383.

I am looking for direction from the forum on what would be best for the overall value of the vehicle. I know I would enjoy the new motor more over a rebuild, but I am not opposed to have the original motor rebuilt.

I have debated the topic enough internally and want some outside opinions.

Thanks

emdoller

I'd rebuild the original and drive it if it was my car. Some will suggest drive with 383 and save the original. That's not a bad option either.

Ed

MikeM

If it doesn't smoke, knock or leak, why not just drive on?

tbarb

Very pretty car, I agree with both posters above.

Revfan

I think I'd get the original rebuilt...

Sounds like a lovely combo with the white seats...any more pics???

Cheers!

Easy Rhino

If the car is highly original and in good condition, I would strongly lean towards a nice crate engine, while preserving the running, not yet damaged original numbers-matching block.

Nowhere Man

part it out.

rebuild the original and move on

rene-paul

My 2 cents; Why not pull the heads, inspect the bores, rebuild the heads or replace the defective one. Put it back together and drive it. You might be surprised.
Keep us informed.

jimh_1962

It could be something simple with just that one cylinder. I would first try to find out why it has low compression then go from there.

Vettrocious

IMHO the 327 350 engine is the best engine ever in a Corvette. It combines very good power with smoothness, dependability, and durability. It also sounds very nice. Rebuild it, no question. No fit problems, no strange noises. No "what's going on now", all of which you'll get with a crate...

matthaney06

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I cant wait to see what others think as well

Frankie the Fink

I'd rebuild it in a flash.

I wonder how many times somebody mothballs an original motor to replace it with a crate mill and the old motor just corrodes away or becomes separated from the car...

You have the old motor on an engine stand, then it gets in the way in the garage, it goes to a storage shed...some misfortune happens and the thing disappears into history.

I wouldn't have to think about the decision more than a millisecond.

MikeM

Any issue posted here is always met with the usual cascade of those willing to spend other's money for what gain?

Frankie the Fink

I didn't see where the poster asked us to consider the 'do nothing' option...

woodsdesign

I had my L-79 and 4 speed rebuilt. The stock combo ran and shifted good.
Now they are in the corner of my garage and I am running a SBC 400 with at TKO 600. It is a blast to drive. Just saying.

Boyan

The question was what retains the most value, that would be keeping it original. Have you done a leakdown test on the offending cylinder to narrow the problem down? There are plenty of 90k mile 327s out there with lots of life.

GTOguy

You've basically answered your own question: It's matching numbers now. You have a correct replacement head. What's best for overall value? Fixing the engine that's in the car now. It's correct, it's the right fit, and it's a 327.....arguably the sweetest SBC ever produced. No-brainer.

matthaney06

Correct!

Duck916

Retaining the stock motor will retain the most value, if that's important.

What's wrong with the head? Does the motor run well, otherwise? Does it burn oil?

Depending on what you know about the problem with the head, I'd consider just removing the heads and having them redone. That's an easy, cheap option and it may fix things. If it doesn't, you can pull the motor and have the short block rebuilt. By doing this in two stages you may save money and time and even if you end up having to go through the whole motor you're only out the labor of R&Ring the heads plus an upper gasket set.

I'd surely do a leak down or compression test with and without some oil to try to isolate the problem better, first, though.

TCKT B8

Rebuild the original - it'll take up less room in your garage than keeping the original and dropping in a crate motor. I just finished an upgrade to my numbers matching 327/300 (heads, carb, intake, exhaust manifolds, etc.) and you wouldn't believe all the parts I have to store in case anyone ever wants to return it to original! You've already got a 327/350 - that should be plenty fun when refreshed!