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Technical engine stuff (put on thinking caps)

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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 02:25 PM
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Default Technical engine stuff (put on thinking caps)

OK, According to people on the forum I have a 68 327ci (VII28YA 646332) from a truck in my 71 vet. Here are the technical questions, is it a 4 bolt main and can I make it into a 383? I think the bore is 4.000?? Is it only the stroke a I need to change and go .030 over? Will this block support a 383 (3.75 stroke with 5.7" rods)?
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 02:52 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (71 Red Sled)

OK, According to people on the forum I have a 68 327ci (VII28YA 646332) from a truck in my 71 vet. Here are the technical questions, is it a 4 bolt main and can I make it into a 383? I think the bore is 4.000?? Is it only the stroke a I need to change and go .030 over? Will this block support a 383 (3.75 stroke with 5.7" rods)?
1. Maybe. Pull the pan and look. It can be stroked to 383 either way.

2. If the bore is 4" you will have to enlarge it to 4.030" and add the stroker crank.

3. If the block is sound you will have no problems building a 383.
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 02:58 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (The Dude)

Four-bolt mains were a no-show in smallblocks until 1969 so there is no such thing as a factory 327 four-bolt. Your '68 327 block is a large journal type and sharing the same 4.0" bore as a 350 (and 302), sure you can stroke it to a 383. You get the 383 with a 3.75" crank and a 4.030" bore. The rod length has nothing to do with displacement.
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 03:15 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (gerry72)

1968 was a breakover year for the SBC. '68 327s had larger journals on crank and rods than the '67 and previous engines. I believe that 4-bolts came with the big journals. I have a 275hp 327 in a 68 Impala... I can't imagine that it would only be a 2-bolt block... but I haven't pulled the pan, so I could be wrong. My knowledge is research-based, not experience-based. :confused: This is my first post- please be nice to me :D
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 03:21 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (71 Red Sled)

**
I thought all truck blocks were 4-bolt mains. I don't understand what all the hype is on 4-bolt mains. Only if you're churnin over ~500 HP are they really needed. You'll need the 350's 5.7" rod for better rod/stroke ratio. The lower the ratio, the better off you are.
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 03:31 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (gerry72)

Four-bolt mains were a no-show in smallblocks until 1969 so there is no such thing as a factory 327 four-bolt. Your '68 327 block is a large journal type and sharing the same 4.0" bore as a 350 (and 302).
Definitely a two bolt as stated above. The 327's were quite capable of pretty potent hp though, even in factory versions. As Brettmc stated though, shouldn't be a concern unless pushing major horsepower! :cheers:
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 03:40 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (Brettmc)

**
...You'll need the 350's 5.7" rod for better rod/stroke ratio. The lower the ratio, the better off you are.
Actually, and theoretically, a HIGHER ratio is preferred. While you can measure a thrust differential between a long rod engine and a short rod engine, the difference is statistically insignificant until you are into high rpm for sustained periods of time. Given the choice, most folks would want a 5.7 or a 6.0 rod for the 383 combo but plenty of the early short rod versions did just fine. And, again, four-bolt mains didn't show up in smallblocks -any smallblock including the DZ302- until 1969.
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 03:52 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (gerry72)

they are correct 2 bolts till 68 then 4 bolts came out in 69,i had a 68 327 i ran in my 76 for 2 years twice a week at atco,ran it to 7000 every time held up fine.but if your gone to stroke it go for the longer rod like gerry said if your gone to spend the money do it. and if you didnt want to bore it out leave it standard for a 377ci.


[Modified by pats406nitrovette, 2:53 PM 8/9/2002]
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 05:05 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (71 Red Sled)

You guys are great..... It's like having an army of experts at my finger tips. I was kinda bummed about the 240 hp 327 engine, but now I can't wait til winter to tear this bad boy down and shoot for 450 hp.

-Tony
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 05:19 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (71 Red Sled)

You can make good power from a fairly stock 327 even without stroking it as you suggest. L79vette has a real strong 327 that dynoed around 275rwhp, which would be well over 400 using the old "gross" ratings! You should be able to easily top that with the 383!
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 05:23 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (71 Red Sled)

Whoa.

I just noticed your original post was about a 327. I didn't read closely and thought you were talking about a 350. Disregard my earlier post.
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Old Aug 9, 2002 | 10:03 PM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (Brettmc)

**
I thought all truck blocks were 4-bolt mains. I don't understand what all the hype is on 4-bolt mains. Only if you're churnin over ~500 HP are they really needed. You'll need the 350's 5.7" rod for better rod/stroke ratio. The lower the ratio, the better off you are.
Starting in `69, most truck blocks were 4 bolts, before then they were all 2 bolt. 327's used 5.7 rods also, giving a rod/stroke ratio similar to a 350 with 6" rods. Making a 383 from a large journal 327 is no different than making one from a 350.
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Old Aug 10, 2002 | 01:00 AM
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Default Re: Technical engine stuff (gerry72)

I've always wondered: Is clearancing on the block (at the oil pan rail) necessary for the 327 and 350 blocks with the longer stroke of the 400 crank?
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