Hey folks. I am rebuilding my 327 engine in my original 67 malibu convertible this year. Does anyone know if it's feasable to replace my crank with a small journel 350 (or larger)
I have friends that have already schooled me about how much more practical it is to put this motor on a stand and buy a crate 350 for the car but I think I want to go this way.

ski,
There is no such thing as a small journal 350 crank. If you want to keep the block and make it a 350, I suppose you could get your crank grinder to grind the mains down on a 350 crank to the small journal size, but I am not sure if there are any issues in doing so.

Sk1-Bill,
I've done this one, twice, and I thought I had explained it here.
As Bill mentioned, you CAN have the mains turned down on a 350 crank and install it in a small journal block to stroke it. ALSO, you will need to have your machine shop slightly turn down the flange diameter between the rear main journal and the rear main seal area. The groove in a 327 block is slightly smaller than the groove in a 350 block.
Now, if you want to even go one step further, you can also make a 383 out of your 327. It's really too easy. First of all, use a SB400 crank with the mains turned down to 350 size (just as would be done for building a 383 from a 350). Next, have the 327 block line bored to accept the bigger 350 bearings (keep in mind that the notches for the main bearing tangs are located differently for a 350 than for a 327 block/caps). Also use the longer 350 main cap bolts (and also turn down the flange between the rear main bearing and rear seal). If you should install a 400 crank into a 327 block, it will be necessary to clearance the bottom of each cylinder for rod nut clearance just as it would be done to make a 383 from a 350 block.
Extra work, extra money? Yes, but it can be done. ESPECIALLY if you have a numbers matching 327 block and want to retain it, but get more inches out of it.

Thanks Tom. I like the 350 crank route. Any idea who is an expert in this type of work in the Los Angeles area?

Tom, You weren't building some cheater motors were you?

http://www.speedomotive.com/327%20SMALL%20JOURNAL%20TO%20383%20CID.htm

Sk1,
You'll just have to check with some of you local machine shops, tell them what you want, and see if they can do it. ANY good machine shop that does lots of engine work should be able to turn down the mains and flange between the rear main and seal of a 350 crank. Also, by installing a 350 crank, you can also stay with the larger 350 rods. Once the extra machining is done, then it will be just like building a regular 350. With a .030 bore, you will have a 355 and all tricks used for a 350 will apply.

Mike,
I have the ultimate "cheater" engine in my 56 Vette. It is a .030 over SB 400, made to look like an early fuel injected 283. The heads are ported 1966 2.02 double hump heads. The humps have been carefully ground off and a pyramid symbol ground in place. Then I had bosses welded and tapped for the early style staggered bolt pattern valve covers. Thus, form the outside, the heads appear to be 59-earlier small valve heads. The injector is setup to look like a very early unit, but has been heavily ported (many years ago by Bill Thomas) and modified with components from later units.

WoW! :eek: I'd sure love to see and hear that motor Tom!!! Now that's a sleeper!!! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

There is a feature article about it in the Mar 04 CHEVY RUMBLE.

Originally posted by DZAUTO:
There is a feature article about it in the Mar 04 CHEVY RUMBLE. Sweeeet...I don't think I have that issue, I think I'll try to back order it graemlins/thumbsup.gif :D

Originally posted by BillK:
ski,
There is no such thing as a small journal 350 crank. Wasn't the '67-only Camaro-only 350 a small journal? Not that one would be easy to find....

Rich, I think that's been debated for a long time. Some guys say small journal, some say medium journal. Maybe asking on Team Camaro?

ABSOLUTELY, the 67 Camaro 350 WAS NOT a small journal block/crank. I have one of those engines. It is kind of a hybrid block. The one I have is dated Jan 67, therefore, it could not be an early 68 350. Also, it is a big journal block (which was ONLY 68-later), BUT it also has the provision in the rear of the block for crankcase ventilation (which was ONLY 67-earlier). UNFORTUNATELY, the block had been surfaced before I got it, so all the numbers on the pad are gone!!!!

All the '67 350s had the large journals, the confusion may come from the 327s and 302s having small journals.