65 327/365 motor upgrade?

[Kensmith]

I have a 1965 327 870 bare block and crank, a set of 461 heads that need hogging out to 2.02/1.60 valves. No internals so I can go with some ideas. I would like to build the motor to stay correct looking but get some fair torque and HP out of it. I have the correct 461 intake and 2818 Holley. Also 2 1/2" ramshorns. Do I try for a stroker or ??? I have a TKO 5 speed and 4.11 rear end. It's a 65 coupe. Thanks

[cardo0]

U would need to have the journals turned down on a stroker 3.75" to fit your older small journal block. But once u have a small journal 3.75" stroke u can make 383 ci or more just like any sb stroker.
But really why all this trouble as a high reving 327" will still be plenty of fun to drive in your lightweight corvette. And u can rebuild a 327" to well over 350hp for only pocket change.: : Just won't have the low end torque as a stroker will. And a 383" stroker will choke even more with ram horns on it. U can open up ram horns to help but this is only make things a lot more work when u have to rebuild the engine too. It really sounds like u are somewhat a beginner with engine building for performance and i suggest u keep it as simple as possible.
I read on a weekly basis here (C3 section) how someone that hasn't even tuned his car wants to rebuild a top end (heads and cam) let alone a stroker motor. Even owners that have had several vettes don't seem to have the tuning experience. Just read from Victoria Vette's post to see this (C3 section). He's owned 3 vettes but never set his timing curves or selected a vacuum can until he had problems after a top end replacement.
Not trying to discourage u but this overhaul before the tune is a literal plague here.
Nail your timing curve and jet your carb and i'll do my best to help ya. Change cam, heads, compression, cubic inches before this and there's little i can do for ya before u bend the or overheat the new motor.


cardo0

[Kensmith]

Originally Posted by cardo0

U would need to have the journals turned down on a stroker 3.75" to fit your older small journal block. But once u have a small journal 3.75" stroke u can make 383 ci or more just like any sb stroker.
But really why all this trouble as a high reving 327" will still be plenty of fun to drive in your lightweight corvette. And u can rebuild a 327" to well over 350hp for only pocket change.: : Just won't have the low end torque as a stroker will. And a 383" stroker will choke even more with ram horns on it. U can open up ram horns to help but this is only make things a lot more work when u have to rebuild the engine too. It really sounds like u are somewhat a beginner with engine building for performance and i suggest u keep it as simple as possible.
I read on a weekly basis here (C3 section) how someone that hasn't even tuned his car wants to rebuild a top end (heads and cam) let alone a stroker motor. Even owners that have had several vettes don't seem to have the tuning experience. Just read from Victoria Vette's post to see this (C3 section). He's owned 3 vettes but never set his timing curves or selected a vacuum can until he had problems after a top end replacement.
Not trying to discourage u but this overhaul before the tune is a literal plague here.
Nail your timing curve and jet your carb and i'll do my best to help ya. Change cam, heads, compression, cubic inches before this and there's little i can do for ya before u bend the or overheat the new motor.


cardo0

Ok, so if I don't do a stroker, what would you recommend? I know the original L-76 had 327/365hp but who knows if that was really 365hp? If I could get 365hp I would be happy. I have rebuilt motors using short blocks that were done, so I can do the top end with no problem including cam, lifters, valves, retainers, etc. I can also do mild porting. No, not good at setting up the distributor other than initial timing but can't curve it. Also not too good with carbs as always had Edelbrock VS Holley. Edelbrock worked straight out of the box. I am looking for help with mid-range priced parts. I don't think I need forged as not racing. I can adjust valve lash so mechanical 30-30 cam would work for me. Or a more modern cam. I do need to be concerned with compression or timing to be able to use 91 octane pump gas. I will never take the motor over 6K rpm.

[cardo0]

Lets start with the heads as once we finish the cambers we can decide on pistons. U will need to unshroud the vlvs which is not expensive and at lest pocket port them. Bigger 2.02/1.6 vlvs are better but not a must have item (i think u already have them now). I recommend Performance Chevy Products (Performance Heads now) 602) 254-9586, 2995 W Whitton Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017. They do great work, have great pricing and love old sb chevy heads. Get studs installed too - guide plates not necessary. PC seals is what u want to use for vlv guide seals - i think the new don't need machining the guide boss but u need to check with Jim at performance heads on this.
But really can u tell me what your total timing is and what rpm it comes in? What jets are u using? What is the number of your vacuum can? Let do it right without the headaches Ken.

Good luck,
cardo0

[64_365]

You can probably find a forged 350 crank easier than a 327 crank. This will add some cubic inches and make more torque. Why not get aftermarket aluminum heads instead of messing with those iron 461's? They'll flow better, weigh less, and come with those 2.02/1.60 valves right out of the box.

[cardo0]

Well thats a surprise, i didn't know there was a small journal 350 but now that i looked they made them from '68 to '88 and there should be plenty. Yes, thats a great idea and i would locate a small journal 350" crank (3.48" stroke, 2.3" mains).
But since u want the correct heads lets start with those, well after we get the tuning nailed.


cardo0

[64_365]

Obviously, the 350 crank would have to be turned down.