I have recently purchased a 67 with a 327.
According to my old 73 Chiltons the hp for my
particular 327 is listed as 325. Was GM
really getting that much out of them stock,
and if so how were they doing it (besides
the high compression ratio Chilton lists)?

They used to use a diffrent rating system. Yours is rated in "gross horse power". I think this method is usually 30%higher than the system they use now "net". So take 30% from 325hp.

A friend of mine had a 67 Chevelle bought new. It had the 327/325 HP engine you're talking about with a 4 speed and 4;11 gears from factory. Don't remember much about the engine, but I'm pretty sure it had a Holley carb on it. Ran really strong. Really upset some of the big block guys, especially the FoMoCo guys. I always figured this was the perfect car, being a small block guy myself. I think this may have been the only year for that particular HP with the 327. tom

The 327/325 hp was (is) the L-79 option. It did use the Holley carb. It was also available in Chevelles in '68. The compression ratio is 11:1. Better get out that credit card for some high test. If the engine code suffix is EP, ER or ES it is from a Chevelle though if it is date coded as '66 it may actually be 350hp (cool!). One neat thing about this engine is that you could only get it with a 4 speed.

Moe