Re: 9 main 327 - to rebuild, swap, trade?

Posted by Mike On 2015/2/16 9:54:49

Thanks for the input guys. If it comes out, it's getting a full rebuild.

Even if it was just one rod or lifter, the engine was kind of weak compared to the 288, at least as i recalled at the time. I'm thinking that it badly needs at least rings and a valve job/valves. It's been mentioned that people don't realize how much power these engines lose over time, and i'm guessing my 288 was fresher than i realized and the 327 was probably well worn in.

It doesn't make sense not to do the whole works if you're going to do anything with the crank, and this one needs cleaned up at least on that journal. Plus, i'd want to take it down to the bare block and get it cleaned and make sure the oil/water passages are spotless.

My main two worries are:

1) even if i rebuild it, will i be asking for trouble running the 327 at hard highway speeds (75-80mph?) Wasn't the 288 a little more reliable at higher rpms? I thought it had something to do with piston speed if i recalled reading here in the past?

Unless new rods are available that are stronger for not much money? I'm a pontiac guy, and rods were the weak point for that motor, and it's considered standard to throw at least $300 into new rods if you want to rev over 5k rpm. I wonder if similar rods are available or necessary?

2) is kind of cost, i really don't want to get into a 5k rebuild. 5k will buy you a decent 4 door. I was hoping someone had a rebuilt or nearly so engine somewhere that someone abandoned in a machine shop that would save me a lot of time and effort, or one they had done for a project and wanted out, but i'm not totally against a rebuild.

I guess the first course of action, if better rods are available or not needed, is to get it out and start calling around locally for quotes. I could ship or take it out of state to an expert, but i am pretty tapped on free time lately, and even worse once spring/summer gets here.