Need some small block chevy research help
 

Hi gents. I've got an unusual, for me, question;

I got ahold of a small block chevy for a.. little project I'm working on. Running motor, good condition; bought it cheap off a guy and didn't really care what it was. I thought it was a 350. It's not. It's a 327. And after getting it home and cleaning it up, the numbers say it's a 327 from something along the lines of a 1967 Corvette. I think. It's all numbers matching and original. It's got the 'double-camel hump' heads with 462 casting numbers. The block and heads have casting numbers that identify them as late 1966 pours- 1 head and block on the same day, 1 head 1 day later.

Seems to have it's original exhaust manifold, which are the 'ram horn' with the 2.5" outlets, which I've seen on Vettes but not sure what else.

Engine block casting # is 3892657

The stamping code starts with a V and has the suffix of "HF" No vin, too early for that.

Here's my big question- I can't find what the suffix 'HF' would have meant in 1967. What car is this motor originally from? I'm thinking it came from a Vette.. but would there have been a Camaro that these numbers would have worked with in 1967? The HF suffix code is what throws me off. From the pages I've found, Vettes used HF in 1965 but not 1967.



Just curious about this thing's pedigree and I am far from an expert on sbc's.

But looks like I've gotten bit with the bug...

The total number of L79-powered Chevelles, Chevy IIs and Corvettes from 1965-1968 was 49,034.

Read more: 1965-'68 Chevy L79 Engine - High-Performance 327 Engine - Super Chevy Magazine

Perhaps this little book could help? WHERE are the numbers you're quoting?

Usually the number below the alternator where head meets block is the best. Do you know for sure it's a 327? Does it have a 4" bore. As you probably know the only engs with a 4" in bore are 302, 327, and a 350. So assuming the
V3892657HF is the that number than it could be as follows (if you can read the printed page it all HF's from 3rd line to line 10 inclusive) if you can't read them I can quote them for you. Let me know.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382610905.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382610962.jpg

It's a 4" bore block.

the only difference between that and a 350 is the Crankshaft n pistons.

Good to go. Swap the crank + new pistons.

PS if you're tempted to hot rod those heads- DON'T. There's no accessory bolt holes on the front so mounting alternators and stuff will be a PITA. Don't waste your money on that.

Buy some factory Vortec heads.

I recently learned that Corvette "Ram's Horn" exhaust manifolds are highly prized.

Designed by Zora Arkus-Duntov, they flow better than any other factory manifold.
I've got a '68 Chevy pick-up, and the old Chevy truck gang drools over finding Corvette Ram's Horns.

Trucks also came with Ram's Horns, with the outlet pointing stright down. The Corvette version angles back, and has larger openings- Better flow, easier to get everything to fit within the frame rails.

PS before I make you jump off a cliff there is ONE more thing to check-measure the main journals of the crank.

Likely you have a "Small journal" block, any 350 crank is NOT a drop in fit. Your options include turning down a 350 crank in a shop, buy an aftermarket crank, or you can buy a 383" stroker kit- a factory 350 crank for that engine basically doesn't exist.

One other thing- that crank in it is FORGED. They all are, think about that for a minute. It might be worthwhile to keep it a 327.

rjp

Where did he say that he wanted to make it into a 350? He only said that he assumed that it was a 350 when he bought it and then later discovered that it was a much rarer 327.

goood point. I thought he really wanted a 350..

rjp

FWIW, my ultimate Corvette would be a '65 F.I. 4-speed, 327/375hp. That was the king of the hill until '66, when the BB became available, (396).

I always thought that the BB cars, while undeniably the most valuable, were less desirable because of excess weight. There are equivalent examples in the 911 world, like everyone wanting a fat pig G50 Carrera, etc. But I digress...

Right and the 327 is a very desirable engine, and for me my favorite. The 350 is fairly common but a great engine, I've got one in my '29 hotrod.

Would rather have a 327, but no matter. Also I can't speak for Schumi, but I'll bet he's OK it being a 327.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382632380.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382632418.jpg

Only thing I can find for a 327 code HF is in either a 1965-66 Camaro, the HF code is also used in 1968 for a 327 Camaro which this engine could have been in. The HF code was also used to describe a 350 in a Camaro in 1969 and 1978.

here is the site I found
Chevy Camaro Engine Suffix Codes

I'm not going to be doing anything to the motor other than insuring it's healthy. In fact, 327ci with these heads and the intake on it (an old, hi-RPM edelbrock) will do just fine for my application...

A second reply to my posting on another forum indicates that HE was the code for '67 'vette - you sure it is HF and not HE ?

And another reply -

1966 HF 327 Powerglide, A.I.R. 275 4 full size

See - Small Block Chevrolet Codes

I really like the 327 over the 350, in a lighter weight car. Nothing better than an oversquare engine when it comes to revving up quickly.

If you put it in a heavier car it won't be able to spin up so quicky which kinda ruins the deal.

Plusm, iffn them are 2.02 heads they'll really flow well for the 327 but are more restictive on the 350 simply due to the larger displacement.
Makes it even worse if you have the 1.94 heads.

65-66 Camaro would be a really rare car. :)

According to that list my 68 327 isn't a 325 hp engine, yet the build sheet I got from GM several years ago says it is. :)

My 68 327/325:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382649440.jpg

The stamp definitely looks like an HF.

'full size' in 1967 would have been an... Impala?

My book (see above post earlier) defines IMP as "Bel Air, Biscayne, Caprice or Impala".

In any case, I think you've got a great motor! Good luck.

Hmm, is that gonna go into a certain big Mercedes?

Nope! Her V12 is still purring like a kitten. That reminds me to make an update to that thread, the car has gone 6 months almost trouble free.