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I was recently cleaning out the Southern California garage of a loved one who recently passed away and came across an old 1960's 327 engine that was stored in the corner. The engine has the following numbers on it: 1 GM 3782870 and H 8 870 935. Some of the stamps are hard to read, but I believe those are correct. The engine is also equipped with a mechanical Hillborn Fuel Injection system. While digging through records, I actually found a receipt dated Aug 22, 1964 for the purchase of one set of used Hillborn Fuel Injectors for $260. Also purchased with the injectors was a Bell Crank for $12.50. I assume the crank was installed in the engine as well. For you California racing historians, the items were purchased from Bourgeois & Wade Automotive in Baldwin Park, CA. The engine was originally installed in a '37 ****** and the plan was for it to be a drag car. However, after a few trips to the drag strip, the owner determined that racing wasn't going to be his pastime. The engine was pulled, the car was sold, and it remained in the garage until today. I believe the owner purchased the engine over the counter, but I'm not sure. I'm trying to find out more about the engine. Does anyone have any information on the H 8 numbers? What else should I look for?
A 2870 block is 1962 to 1965 327. Where did you get the other numbers from? There should be a date on the passenger side rear of the block. Is there anything on the stamp pad in the front? If you pull A valve cover there is also a date and numbers in there.
What a cool find! I am sure there are some nostalgia racers that would be interested in that. I think the bell crank is the throttle bell crank mounted on the injector intake.
A 2870 block is 1962 to 1965 327. Where did you get the other numbers from? There should be a date on the passenger side rear of the block. Is there anything on the stamp pad in the front? If you pull A valve cover there is also a date and numbers in there.
If I recall correctly, the other numbers were from behind the flywheel.
If you can, try to post a picture of the exhaust ports on the heads. The two center ports in particular.
Back in the 60's any serious drag racer, particularly with Hilborn Fuel Injection, would want to be using Mondello heads. They were the best available back then and pricey. If it does have Mondello heads that will be a big plus for someone restoring a period correct Gasser of that era. These heads required a specific set of intake and exhaust gaskets to match the porting.
If they are Mondello's they will be stamped on the intake side of the head...
Good luck and welcome to the Corvette Forum... GUSTO
I was recently cleaning out the Southern California garage of a loved one who recently passed away and came across an old 1960's 327 engine that was stored in the corner. The engine has the following numbers on it: 1 GM 3782870 and H 8 870 935. Some of the stamps are hard to read, but I believe those are correct. The engine is also equipped with a mechanical Hillborn Fuel Injection system. While digging through records, I actually found a receipt dated Aug 22, 1964 for the purchase of one set of used Hillborn Fuel Injectors for $260. Also purchased with the injectors was a Bell Crank for $12.50. I assume the crank was installed in the engine as well. For you California racing historians, the items were purchased from Bourgeois & Wade Automotive in Baldwin Park, CA. The engine was originally installed in a '37 ****** and the plan was for it to be a drag car. However, after a few trips to the drag strip, the owner determined that racing wasn't going to be his pastime. The engine was pulled, the car was sold, and it remained in the garage until today. I believe the owner purchased the engine over the counter, but I'm not sure. I'm trying to find out more about the engine. Does anyone have any information on the H 8 numbers? What else should I look for?
From my experience, the bell crank is what links the clutch pedal to the shift fork in the transmission AKA "Z-BAR"
The distributor is a “ Grant Spaulding” flame thrower, it is basically two 4 cylinder ignitions. It has two sets of points that operate individually, not like a conventional dual point distributor. Very cool vintage stuff there!
The distributor is a “ Grant Spaulding” flame thrower, it is basically two 4 cylinder ignitions. It has two sets of points that operate individually, not like a conventional dual point distributor. Very cool vintage stuff there!
Pretty damn interesting. Those units, while effective, had a history of burning through points rather quickly, and the replacement(s) points required disassembling much of the distributor. Guys who use them today normally convert them to Petronix. Haven't seen one of those units in years.
Last edited by Dan Hampton; 05-23-2019 at 04:28 PM.
Pretty damn interesting. Those units, while effective, had a history of burning through points rather quickly, and the replacement(s) points required disassembling much of the distributor. Guys who use them today normally convert them to Petronix. Haven't seen one of those units in years.
I’ve owned a couple but have never used one. They are very interesting in a “vintage part” context.
Took a closer look at the engine today. Here are more numbers. The engine pad appears to be blank. Does that mean this was an over the counter block???
If you can, try to post a picture of the exhaust ports on the heads. The two center ports in particular.
Back in the 60's any serious drag racer, particularly with Hilborn Fuel Injection, would want to be using Mondello heads. They were the best available back then and pricey. If it does have Mondello heads that will be a big plus for someone restoring a period correct Gasser of that era. These heads required a specific set of intake and exhaust gaskets to match the porting.
If they are Mondello's they will be stamped on the intake side of the head...
Good luck and welcome to the Corvette Forum... GUSTO
With a blank pad it could have been a over the counter short block or it could have been a production block that has been machined and decked. So the value is the sum of the after market speed parts on it. The block it self is not worth a whole lot as is But as a period speed parts engine it’s cool and someone doing a period hot rod might pay for period parts
05-22-2019, 12:44 AM
Barn Find Engine Guidance
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