Re: 356 Crank in 327/359

Posted by Ross On 2011/8/15 12:05:49

The 359 crank will drop right into a 51-53 9 main block. Can about guarantee the 356 will not. You would also have cam and block clearance issues even with the extra 1/8 stroke of the 356 and be stuck using its incredibly long con rods because of its huge rod journals. I think that would put the wrist pins just about at deck height.

For the ultimate in a 51-54 car, you could just use a 356 and fit it with aluminum head and manifold to bring its weight down to approx that of the original engine. There is no great difference in length, only height.

Just for reference, the revised six of 38(?) set the bore (thru 53) and bore spacing for all the later "new" engines including the 356,288,327,and359.