BigKev wrote:
Agreed. Buy the time you source all the 359 specific parts and do all machining required (assuming the 327 casting can be bored out that far without issue), it would have been cheaper to source a complete 359. Also because the 359 specific parts are "one year only" they are far harder to locate. Where as most of the parts between the 327 motors and even some of the 288 parts are interchangeable.

For comparison:

A '54 359 9 Bearing motor, Hydraulic Lifter (found in the 400 series cars) with a 4bl carb is rated at 212 hp.

A '54 327 5 Bearing Motor, Hydraulic Lifter (found in the 300 series cars) with a 4bl carb is rated 180 hp.

A '54 327 5 Bearing Motor, Solid Lifter (found in the Clipper Deluxe and Supers) with a 2bl carb is rated 165 hp.

In '53, the Senors came with a 327 9 Bearing, Hydraulic Lifter which was also 180 HP.