I am looking at a 1/2 ton 76 chevy pickup. It's got a 327, sm465, np205 and 10bolt axles. It's pretty cheap and was thinking about slappig some 1 ton axles under it and towin my toyota around. The thing I was curious about was the 327 engine. I have no experence with the 327 and was wondering what it was like. Is it basically a "chevy" engine or what??

For the purpose you want to use the truck for (towing), the 327 might not offer the power your looking for. If built right, it could, but you'd be better off with a longer stoke engine like the 350. I like the 327 for a 2wd truck or car, but in a 4WD you need somthing with a bit more torque. Now, if the deal on this truck is good enough, you could slide a stronger cam into the 327 for very little cash and probably be OK with it. Then, with the addition of a pair of Voretc heads, you could pull real nice with it!

BUY IT!!! 327's are KICK ASS motors.....even came factory with "steel crank" :eek: That motor with 4sp. won't even know there is a Toyota back there......wish I could find 1 around here for less than 1K..... :(

Originally posted by Shaker
even came factory with "steel crank"


Unless it was a '68 or '69 327, then it would be a cast crank with large journals.

I agree with both sides to this post. The 327 was one of GM's best. It halls in a 2WD vehicle, and in some 4WD's. Buy the truck, you can always find some one that wants a 327 and is willing to pay for it. Buy a 350 or 383 and swap it in. If the truck has the majority of what you're looking for at a low price, buy it. :nuke:

Originally posted by CHVYPWR



Unless it was a '68 or '69 327, then it would be a cast crank with large journals.


:confused: Mine came out of a 68 Camaro. It has a steel crank and large journals. Are you sure you don't have that backwards?

Originally posted by FYRMAN


:confused: Mine came out of a 68 Camaro. It has a steel crank and large journals. Are you sure you don't have that backwards?

Nope, not backwards, just didnt clearify enough:D In early '68 Chevy made the change from sm journal steel to large journal cast. Your Camaro is probably one of those early model '68's. Or, sombody switched the engine out at one time for the Corvette 327 which still had a steel crank. They used the cast crank through the 300hp 327's, and steel for the 'Vette 350HP 327. Your making me think...I need a :beer: :D

i got a chevy 3/4 tonne p/u and the guy i got it from said that there was 327 in it. the yeaar of the truck is not certain. I just refreshed the t-case(205) and tranny(465) and they both have buid dates of 1971.. I think the 327 was discontinued in teh p/u after 68 0r 69..
Here's the fun part I got the casting number off the block and it is the following
3970010....327.....69
3970010....350...69-80

So my questing is now how the heck do i tell the difference between the 327 and the 350????????????


TIA.....
Joanthan

The only way I know of as far as looking from the outside would be on the very front above the water pump on the block .. 327's and 283's both had a casting just under the front lip of the intake on the block that you cant slide a finger through. A 350 doesnt have this casting on it so in my eyes it would be a dead givaway.

Even if it is a 327 with that 4 speed it will still be a good motor. Later just stroke it to a 355 if you need a little more bottom end.