Old barn find. Could use some help with identification

[chevycountry88]

Hi, I bought this engine off a guy's son whose father passed away several years ago. The son said from what he remembers the engine was a '68 out of an Impala. The guys dad was friends with my grandfather, I was very young maybe 5 or 6 yrs old. I do remember him having a old Impala. I did a google search on the numbers off the back deck of the block which looks to read GM 3914660, which came up as a '68 327 w/ camel hump heads, by the way it is a 4bbl instead of 2bbl. I was also told by someone if it has the 4bbl then that means it has the big valves, if it was a deuce it would have the small valves and I do know the intake is original to this engine, because the wear from the intake is the same as the wear on the heads and block. This is my first 327, so I don't know much about them. I did another google search on the #'s from the camel hump heads, which are 3876775, I got them from the front part of the head under the valve cover. My findings on those #'s date 1960-1967. This is where the confusion begins, because the son was pretty sure that it was a '68 Impala. Oh, yeah, it also has T14 CONV 1 on the back deck. I asked the son why they took it out and he said , because it started to smoke a little bit. I'm going to post the pics of the engine and in one of the pics are some more #'s so if someone knows anything about this engine and numbers, would you PLEASE share your knowledge. I gave $25.00 for the whole set up, so I know I didn't get screwed, because it has the camel hump heads and there was a guy on ebay that had a bare '68 327 block and wanted $300 just for it. Once again I would appreciate the help from those who truly know and not those who think they know. Thanks for your time and help! This engine also has the press on with the key way balancer. Are they all like that or do some of them bolt on?? I don't mean to sound stupid, but like I said this is my first 327. Thanks again for any and all help.

[bignate]

as far as the valve cover bein dated 60-67 sometimes gm would and still does throw on parts from last years stock just to get rid of it and the motor could have been sitting in the factory for 6 months till the 68 impala roled down theline either way great find 327's are gettin hard to find..the chevy number checking site is
www.mortec.com
it is pretty useful
i checked yours it comes back as a 68 327 with a 2 bolt main thats all it says
the heads come back like you said 60-67 put them on 283's and 327's they have a 75cc chamber
check out mortec thats were i found it

[leebert]

I don't know how it worked back then, but maybe it was like today, when the 2010's come out in 09? So the production dates for the engine and stuff would be '67 for the '68 model year? Just a thought, not sure how that works.

[smallblock283]

can you read the numbers on the front of the block on the pass.side right where the head meets the block ? there was 4 diff. hp rating that yr.275,300,325 and 350 if you can give me the # i can tell you the hp that it was
http://www.mortec.com/locatpg2.htm
read up on this and get me those numbers

[smallblock283]

the head are 60-67 283 , 327 w/ 1.72 valve on the intake and 1.5 exh not what ppl call camel hump heads

[Scotty_S-15]

My first concern would be wondering if it was ever left with water instead of anti-freeze, and /or if water ever migrated into the engine. I mean, it does look like it got hauled out of a pond......

So I'd look first look closely at the sides of the block up near the deck for cracks, and everywhere else for that matter.

And oh yeah, the heads. There are crappy heads, OK heads, and good Camel hump heads. As was said, yours are probably OK heads. Definitely not 2.02" intake camel hump heads.
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[adh383]

Those arent camel hump heads--- camel humps have 2 humps on each head-- some were 202's-- but rare to find them- The 2 sets I have are 194 intake valves. That motor you have is a 275 horse motor. Probably has a steel crank- good little engine to make a revving little joker out of. In fact, one of the 327's I have had camel humps heads- 600 holley and came out of a 66 caprice-4 door car--- it was 275 horse motor. You still got a good deal no matter what is wrong with it.

[chevycountry88]

can you read the numbers on the front of the block on the pass.side right where the head meets the block ? there was 4 diff. hp rating that yr.275,300,325 and 350 if you can give me the # i can tell you the hp that it was
http://www.mortec.com/locatpg2.htm
read up on this and get me those numbers

Ok went and found the #'s you asked about and they are 18U115458 TIOIOHM. I uploaded a pic of it also. Man, I can't tell thank you enough for helping me as much as you are. By the way do you know anything about the harmonic dampers. If you read my small book, lol, you'll see what I'm wanting to know: the 327 has a press on with a key way, which I've been told is not a good thing and of course thats what mine is. But, the guy who told me this has led me in the wrong direction a couple of times. So, I'm relying on finding good friends and people here to help me out. As a matter of fact I'm still trying to get my 355 S10 going, about ready to give up on it also. The guy I mentioned earlier was supposed to be helping me out, but now I'm on my own with no garage. I'm about ready to sale or trade it. So, if you know anyone that has a good short bed 4x4 that's not a rust bucket, a little rust I can stand, because my '88 S10 has very minor rust also. They can keep their engine and trans and I'll keep mine. I'm more of a 4 wheel drive guy anyway. I can't let the engine and trans go, because I've got a little over $4,000 in the trans and engine alone, but I would throw in the 327 I have. Would love to find a nice 4wd to put the 355 in. Thanks to all you guys for your help and kind words. If you know anyone interested I will take better pics of the S10 and I would prefer the 4wd to be anywhere from a '81-'87. Or even a short bed or long bed 2wd, but must not be a rust bucket. Check out my myspace photos and you'll see alot more pics of my S10. As you can see on there it was automatic on the column, but I put a B&M floor shifter in it, has orginal 64,731 miles on the body. My myspace is http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=142644823

[chevycountry88]

My first concern would be wondering if it was ever left with water instead of anti-freeze, and /or if water ever migrated into the engine. I mean, it does look like it got hauled out of a pond......

So I'd look first look closely at the sides of the block up near the deck for cracks, and everywhere else for that matter.

And oh yeah, the heads. There are crappy heads, OK heads, and good Camel hump heads. As was said, yours are probably OK heads. Definitely not 2.02" intake camel hump heads.
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I would like you to know the 327 has sentimental value to me. Like I stated earlier in my first question. This engine is from a farm down the road from where my grandparents lived and I grew up. There are no cracks in the block or the heads. All the holes were covered or plugged up and it was about half assed covered up with an old thick piece of tarp. So no Scotty the green on it is not moss and it has not been pulled out of a pond. Apparently you must have plenty of money or you wouldn't make some half ass comment like that and show me and everyone on here what type of person you are. Ever hear of Southern Hospitality? Oh, I see now your from "Jersey". I appreciate you trying to help me out, but that comment about the pond just rubbed me the wrong way. You build trucks, so you know how frustrating all this can be. I've been trying to build a 355 S10 and have been having a hard time getting it finished, so one weekend the wife and I took off and just went for a drive to the old homestead and ran into my grandfathers friend's son and I seen the 327 and asked about it and he let me have it for $25.00. Thought I'd come here to the website and get some friendly advice.

[SassyV8]

I would'nt mind finding plenty of 327's. In barns. you got a deal on that.country88...just hocked a 4 bolt from my dad and boss was going to scap a 350 4 bolt that did run. also I Did have a 327 myself. had it in a chev. monza..

[chevycountry88]

Man, I bet that Monza was a screamin piece of equipment. I left you a comment on your profile about your friend. Thanks for this comment you just left!

[chevycountry88]

Thanks Big Nate!!!

[bignate]

alright on the balancer it looks like somebody pulled the bolt that is supost to be retaining it it should just pull off with a harmonic balancer puller.. unless its seized on..but ive never heard of them bein a problem?not as a street aplication maybe racing with higher rpms but i dont think your goin for that.. once you get it all tore down id send alot of the parts in to napa or local machine shop to get them checked for fine cracks ive had some bad expeirences goin by the naked eye..but hey man even if the motor isnt totaly rebuildable id dress it up and keep it in the shop for a converstion piece..keep me posted on it man

[Scotty_S-15]

I would like you to know the 327 has sentimental value to me. ...................................... Apparently you must have plenty of money or you wouldn't make some half ass comment like that and show me and everyone on here what type of person you are. Ever hear of Southern Hospitality? Oh, I see now your from "Jersey". I appreciate you trying to help me out, but that comment about the pond just rubbed me the wrong way. ...................................... Thought I'd come here to the website and get some friendly advice.
Ouch! Dude, mellow out! A little sensitive, are we?
1) I only meant to help you out, no intention to upset you. But no sense spending a lot of effort on a motor thats worthless, ie, cracked.
2) Look at those pictures again. It DOES look like it was dragged from a pond. I didn't think it was, or it doesn't mean that it was, or that it is in any way worthless. And as I said, it wasn't meant to upset you. But the motor just looks like it WAS drug from a pond! My point was, wondering if any water had gotten into the water jackets over the years.
3) It isn't unusal for a guy to get "screwed" on an engine, (or anything else for that matter) not by someone purposely misleading them, but by the person selling the item simply not knowing the facts....... For instance, was there anti-freeze in the engine when it was pulled out 25 +/- years ago?? Stuff like that happens all the time.
3) 327 engines have a HUGE place in MY heart. I've had a couple myself, love them.

Also, don't worry about the balancer and no bolt. It wasn't a problem with the 7,000 RPM mid '60s 365 HP & 375 HP 327s.........
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[chevycountry88]

Oh no problem on this end whatsoever, let's all put on our big boy britches. lol You know how it is, you can always have one in the bunch, just wasn't sure. Hard to find good, honest, true friends/people to help you out. Like I said I remember this car back when I was 4-5 yrs old with this very same engine in it purring like a kitten and I'm 39 now. I just happen to come across it a couple of weeks ago and took a chance. Oh well, if $25.00 is all that any of us ever lose, we'll all be doing good. Like Big Nate said, "but hey man even if the motor isn't totally rebuildable id dress it up and keep it in the shop for a conversation piece.." When I get a shop lol or maybe for now I could use it as mail box. Thanks for the help and nice to know that there are still some good ol' boys willing to lend a helping hand. I'm kinda "old school" and back then that's what is was all about.

[bignate]

i have my big boy briches on but there in a bunch

[smallblock283]

looks like it has two differnt heads to me is the # on them the same? as for the bal. is there a bolt holding it on the crank? my 283 thats in my truck didnt have a bolt so when i rebuilt it I had the shop drill for me. If it was needed chevy would have drilled it ...right ? the 302 that went 8000 rpm didnt have a bolt

[Scotty_S-15]

............... as for the bal. is there a bolt holding it on the crank? my 283 thats in my truck didnt have a bolt so when i rebuilt it I had the shop drill for me. If it was needed chevy would have drilled it ...right ? the 302 that went 8000 rpm didnt have a bolt
AND, if I'm not mistaken, back in the no-bolt days, the accepted method of installing the balancer was to just WAIL on it with your BFH. My Dad had a block of ultra-hard lingnivitae (sp?) wood we would use for such purposes.

Definitely not a good idea to use that method with today's engines. Just draw it on with a bolt, preferabley with special tool that uses a bearing between the bolt (stud) and balancer.

And yes, if the opportunity presents itself, a good idea to drill & tap the crank.
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[chevycountry88]

Small Block 283, what makes you think they're 2 different heads, besides ones on the left and ones on the right? lol Because I didn't notice.
Hey Scotty, I've seen guys use the BFH still today, and I'm thinking NOOOO! What are you doing? Don't do that! But, it's theirs. lol

[racer1182]

i think they are two diff heads too cause the casting are not the same from front to back. i would pull the other cover and see what casting number it is. they are not the same heads though

[spacecadet]

Those are the same heads. THere are enough pictures that show both fron and back of both heads. The front of the left head and the back of the right head have the same markings. THe front of t he right head and the back of the left head have the same markings.

Since that motor has sat soooooo long and the valve cover has a rot hole in it, I would suggest soaking the whole thing with alot of Marvel Mystery Oil to help free it up. Chances are their is surface rust on the cylinder walls and the valves are probuly sticky.

I bought one that looked worse than that. The oil pan was rotted so bad you could pass a soft ball through it. Fortunaltey the oil sludge inside protected everything. It too had those heads on it. Tradded the heads for a Super size Double Qtr Pounder value meal with a chocolate shake.

Space

[chevycountry88]

SpaceCadet, so it would be my guess with today's economy, I may be able to get a Cheese burger off the 99 cent Menu? and you must have been hungry lol. Yeah I was going to get some plastic totes and tear the engine down and get some old motor oil from a garage and give it a good soaking. Let's just hope that when I go to pull the intake none of the bolts break. I had to bust a mouse in his head the other day when he stuck it up out of the intake. First I need to finish my S10, then I'll see what I can do with the 327. I'm quite sure it will need to be bored, so I'll just go ahead and have it bored and stroked and build a nice little sbc for the street. I've been thinking about building a 377, don't know much about them. Do you or anyone else have any opinions or advice? I would greatly appreciate it. As for the heads they could be worked over to. But, you know how it is we think we're going to do one thing and end up doing another.

[XTEN]

I think alota people underestimate the 327.A friend ran very low 10's over 20 yrs ago.(331ci)The 377 is a revvin machine.I had one with a tunnel ram in a 78 GMC 4wd(pictured below).You could shift it all day at 7500 rpm.It'd light all 4 38"Dick Cepeks.I was gonna build one for my S-10,but you know how you said about you think you're gonna do one thing,and you end up doin another?lol

[chris1972]

i think its a 327 look at the flange on the crank (where the flywheel goes ) the 283 are round and the 350 and 327 and looks like that flange..some 327 had no crank bolt

[smallblock283]

i think they are two diff heads too cause the casting are not the same from front to back. i would pull the other cover and see what casting number it is. they are not the same heads though

thats what i was thinking

[badtoad]

Yea that one heas is , 3837775 1962-67 283 1.72 1.5 and its a large journal crank 327 wich is good for you as they are way cheeper to rebuild than a small journal 327 . What is the casting number on the other head ?

[racer1182]

Those are the same heads. THere are enough pictures that show both fron and back of both heads. The front of the left head and the back of the right head have the same markings. THe front of t he right head and the back of the left head have the same markings.

Since that motor has sat soooooo long and the valve cover has a rot hole in it, I would suggest soaking the whole thing with alot of Marvel Mystery Oil to help free it up. Chances are their is surface rust on the cylinder walls and the valves are probuly sticky.

I bought one that looked worse than that. The oil pan was rotted so bad you could pass a soft ball through it. Fortunaltey the oil sludge inside protected everything. It too had those heads on it. Tradded the heads for a Super size Double Qtr Pounder value meal with a chocolate shake.

Space

they are not the same markings at all if you look at them

[chevycountry88]

Ok guys, I think they may be 2 different heads. The numbers on the Left head running from front to the back J 67 then 10 or 1C, then the GM 2 with the last numbers on the back of part of engine heads are 3817290. On the Rt. head same order: J46 OR J48, 12 , GM 12 AND 3876775. I'll post the pics and you guys can take a look at them and tell me what you think. The first 4 pics are of the rt. head and By the way, on the last pic of the rt. head under the numbers 3876775 there are 2 marks, do those have a meaning or are they just marks GM used as more identification? The last 5 pics are of the left head. Thanks!

[bigrond]

talkin about pullin motors out of a pond i once pulled a 350 out of the ground in my back yard when i lived in va .i was diggin a garden when i hit somthing the rototiller didint like to much (good thing it was a rental)i started digging and sure enough up from the ground came a smallblock 350 heads block and crank no pan or covers that motor after some machine work and few dollars worth of high performance goodies ended up in my 73 vega runnin 11.50s if you can build it itll run

[chevycountry88]

talkin about pullin motors out of a pond i once pulled a 350 out of the ground in my back yard when i lived in va .i was diggin a garden when i hit somthing the rototiller didint like to much (good thing it was a rental)i started digging and sure enough up from the ground came a smallblock 350 heads block and crank no pan or covers that motor after some machine work and few dollars worth of high performance goodies ended up in my 73 vega runnin 11.50s if you can build it itll run

Hell yeah! Now that's Chevy for ya!! Chevy don't make the earth but it'll sure shake the earth! Congratulations!

[XTEN]

talkin about pullin motors out of a pond i once pulled a 350 out of the ground in my back yard when i lived in va .i was diggin a garden when i hit somthing the rototiller didint like to much (good thing it was a rental)i started digging and sure enough up from the ground came a smallblock 350 heads block and crank no pan or covers that motor after some machine work and few dollars worth of high performance goodies ended up in my 73 vega runnin 11.50s if you can build it itll runI knew them 350's didnt grow on trees like we usta think!Now I know where they come from.Kina like a spud,huh bigrond?

[bigrond]

ya just plant a few valves and before you know you got a whole crop of small blocks lol.i also found many other junk items in the back yard that year .half a motorcycle a lawn mower the old push blade kind an a bunch of other stuff .im guessin it was somebodies dump .

[chevycountry88]

ya just plant a few valves and before you know you got a whole crop of small blocks lol.i also found many other junk items in the back yard that year .half a motorcycle a lawn mower the old push blade kind an a bunch of other stuff .im guessin it was somebodies dump .

If it was old dump, keep diggin you never know what you might worth some money. Got a buddy with a metal detector?

[chevycountry88]

i think they are two diff heads too cause the casting are not the same from front to back. i would pull the other cover and see what casting number it is. they are not the same heads though

I added some more pics and numbers of both heads. Would you mind taking a look share some of your knowledge with me? This is my first 327, I've always owed 350s so I don't know much about them.

[chevycountry88]

looks like it has two differnt heads to me is the # on them the same? as for the bal. is there a bolt holding it on the crank? my 283 thats in my truck didnt have a bolt so when i rebuilt it I had the shop drill for me. If it was needed chevy would have drilled it ...right ? the 302 that went 8000 rpm didnt have a bolt

I added some more pics and numbers of both heads. Would you mind taking a look share some of your knowledge with me? This is my first 327, I've always owed 350s so I don't know much about them

[chevycountry88]

Those are the same heads. THere are enough pictures that show both fron and back of both heads. The front of the left head and the back of the right head have the same markings. THe front of t he right head and the back of the left head have the same markings.

Since that motor has sat soooooo long and the valve cover has a rot hole in it, I would suggest soaking the whole thing with alot of Marvel Mystery Oil to help free it up. Chances are their is surface rust on the cylinder walls and the valves are probuly sticky.

I bought one that looked worse than that. The oil pan was rotted so bad you could pass a soft ball through it. Fortunaltey the oil sludge inside protected everything. It too had those heads on it. Tradded the heads for a Super size Double Qtr Pounder value meal with a chocolate shake.

Space

Hey Spacecadet, I quoted this question a few times to all the guys that have different opinions and would like to see what you think? I know it's kinda of crazy to post so many times, but I'm really interested in knowing. I added some more pics and numbers of both heads. Would you mind taking a look share some of your knowledge with me? This is my first 327, I've always owed 350s so I don't know much about the 327s. Thanks!

[chris1972]

the 327 are good motors ..

[chevycountry88]

looks like it has two differnt heads to me is the # on them the same? as for the bal. is there a bolt holding it on the crank? my 283 thats in my truck didnt have a bolt so when i rebuilt it I had the shop drill for me. If it was needed chevy would have drilled it ...right ? the 302 that went 8000 rpm didnt have a bolt

Hi sbc283, You said the engine had two different heads on it and to get you the numbers and you'd check into the hp. The old fellow that owned this car ("68 Impala") bought it brand new, so if these are two different heads, I would assume it was done in the factory, which me personally, I've never heard of a factory mix matching heads. This old man was not the type to do something like that either. He owned the car till the day he died. I asked his son that I bought the engine from, (which is well up in his 50's) I understand that anyone can lie to you about anything, but if you knew this guy, he's just a good ol' country man that lives on a farm in Dover, KY, he is not the type to lie. As far as he was concerned it was just a old boat anchor. lol. He said that the engine was pulled because it was starting to smoke. If I'm not mistaken there shortly after is when his dad passed away. But anyway, I've given you the numbers and some more pictures that you asked for. If you or anyone can help me out, I'd really appreciate. Just curious, just like having a woman, it's nice to know what you got before you sink money and time in her! lol

[badtoad]

It dont really matter having two different heads for what your going to do with the motor ,BUT if it was me id just get a set off of a 350 . The newer 350 heads will have hardend valve seats wich will be better for today's gas . Besides they will have the bolt holes to make it easy for the alt ,ps ,ect .

[chevycountry88]

It dont really matter having two different heads for what your going to do with the motor ,BUT if it was me id just get a set off of a 350 . The newer 350 heads will have hardend valve seats wich will be better for today's gas . Besides they will have the bolt holes to make it easy for the alt ,ps ,ect .

Sounds good to me! Thanks for all the help from all of you! I'm going to sit the 327 to the side and try to get my S10 done, hopefully by next weekend. Wish me luck!!

[smallblock283]

diff. heads dont meen alot just that it may have been apart at one time . You dont want to put those heads back on anyway It would take to much money to get them right. dont call anyone a lier, hell after 40 yrs. of owning something you might forget also.

[XTEN]

Sounds good to me! Thanks for all the help from all of you! I'm going to sit the 327 to the side and try to get my S10 done, hopefully by next weekend. Wish me luck!!That'd be great to get another S10-V8 on the road.Good luck!

[chevycountry88]

diff. heads dont meen alot just that it may have been apart at one time . You dont want to put those heads back on anyway It would take to much money to get them right. dont call anyone a lier, hell after 40 yrs. of owning something you might forget also.

First of all I'm not really understanding what your saying, wouldn't take anymore money to redo these heads than any others. You take them to a machine shop, have them redone and everything new put back in them they're going to be the same. Right? I don't understand what you mean by calling someone a liar, because I certainly didn't call anyone a liar. I don't know if it's me or the way you worded it, I just don't get it. As for forgetting something you did 40 years ago, hell I sometimes forget what I did yesterday. By, the way you asked about the casting numbers on the heads, because you said can tell me the hp, so I did what you asked and posted them. I see that you have failed to come up with the hp rating, that's all I thought you were trying to help with. Don't know where all that other BS came from, somewhere, somehow, seems like to me some wires got crossed somewhere down the line. All I do know is that I came across a good, cheap find and I know that. As far as the heads go I could really care less about them, because I've got a brand new set of Brodix Heads that would be perfect for the engine once I'm done with it. I just thought that this was a website where a bunch of "Good ol' boys" get together and shoot the shit and help each other out, not put words into someones mouth because the way you worded what you said, I kinda feel like that is what you did. Your the one that offered to share your knowledge with me, but if I was so worried about it right now, I have plenty of friends here where I live and I think I've gained some truthful honest friends on this website to help me out if there's anything I need to know. Because, it seems to me like there is a hell of a lot of good guys on this site that would help you and not mislead you. Just to show you that I'm not lying, here are some pics of a S10 and just 3 of many camaros that these 2 brothers, which are friends here at home have done frame off restoration.Turner Boy's Maysville, KY. One of the brothers is a member of this site goes by hotrods. Check out his profile! They got some wicked rides with a lot of time and hard work.