Re: Are there many differences between a 49 327 and a 53 327

Posted by HH56 On 2015/5/2 21:43:34

Various heads were interchangeable and swapping heads was factory sanctioned as the way to change compression ratios. Just having a late head is not really indicative of the rest of the engine. The casting date on the lower engine just above the oil pan and not the head would let you know for sure when the engine was made.

Except for some added mounting bosses for the later engines, the basic engines are the same externally but in a 53 engine possible internal differences from the standard for a 49 could be main bearings and the valve lifters. 49 327 engines did not offer the 9 main and were usually solid lifters -- although hydraulics were an option on some models.

You will have to look at your engine number to determine how it might be equipped. If it was a 53 327 from another car, engine numbers starting L3 L4, or L6 would be expected and the chart will help you determine how it was equipped. If it was a service engine installed by a dealer I am not sure if the same numbering system was used on those to immediately tell how lifters were equipped. On unnumbered engines it would be easy to count the plugs in the oil gallery to determine the main bearings but you might have to visually check the lifters.