Hi!


I have 2 1968 327 engine blocks. One being from a Camaro, and the other being from a passenger car. Is it safe to assume that the camaro block is probably more valuable? Also, there are two large plugs located in the front of the block, just behind the timing chain on the Camaro block. Any info on these? The block from the passenger car does not have them.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

The Plugs you referring to are probably Lifter Gallery End Plugs. Some are pressed in Stamping like a Frost plug whereas other are tapped with threaded Plugs. The 68 large Journal 327 is a most desirable engine. Some came with Forged Cranks. Even some 2BBL's came with 1.94/1.55 Fuelie heads (Camel Hump). The 350 and 360 Hp 327's had 2.02/1.6 Valves. The 291 and 292 head casting are Identical were the smaller valve 291 Casting can easily be machined for larger Valves and screw in Studs. The same head was used on the 302DZ engine. The Spring Pockets can be opened up to 1.439". It only takes basic hotrodding to get 425 Hp and over 7500rpm with these engines. None were 4 bolt; however, some marine 327's with forged cranks were built with the 4 bolt 010 block starting in late 68 and 69.

Oh there might be a 2 holes in the front of the Block into the Lifter Valley with engines originally equipped with Smog Pumps.

Imho, there is nothing really valuable about either block unless you'd luck out and find somebody that wants a more correct VIN letter code and date cast block for a car to clone.

I say this b/c they made a bunch of them, the 302 and 327 Camaro, 327 big car, 327 'Vette, Chevelle, Nova and finally P/U's.

And don't forget that these engines were made using the little-bitty rod bolt stuff, the 1967 302 and 325/350/365 and 375hp/327 'Vette/Chevelle/Nova engines.

I used a way early 327 block and a 265 forged crank for my old junk301 and regularly took it to and above 7,500 rpm, depending on point bounce back then.

pdq67

As pdq67 says not particularly valuable but they are certainly desirable as they respond wonderfully with bolt on Muscle Items. A 68 327 with forged rotating assembly, 10.5 TRW's, Holley 750 on an Edlebrock RPM with 284 Mechanical Cam will hold it's own, even against Big Blocks. I say you would probably get return investment from the money you spend into these engines. I don't believe the Forged crank is all that necessary but definitely invest into something like SIR or Scat Rods and Forged TRW's. I recommend Cross Drilling a Cast Crank.

I guess you can tell I'm rather partial to the 68 327 - so was Bill Jenkens. Here's a set of 291 327 Heads prepared as per Jenken Specs:









Our 68 302DZ members wouldn't mind a set of these heads