Are you looking for a Chevy vehicle? If so, you might be considering one with the 327 Chevy engine. But is that particular engine reliable and does it perform? That’s what we are here to answer.
What are the 327 Chevy engine specs?
The 327 Chevy engine has 365 horsepower at 3,200 rpm. The 327 cubic inch displacement top-end carbureted V8 motor has a bore and stroke of 4 inches by 3.25 inches. The torque rating is 350 lb-ft. at 4,000 rpm. The compression ratio is 11:1. The compression rating is 140 pounds per square inch.
We have much more information about the ever-popular 327 Chevy engine. But first, let’s go over a bit of the its history. Then we will tell you which vehicles have had this engine in them. We will then round out this article with some of the most frequently asked questions about this powerful engine.
History of the 327 Chevy Engine
Chevy has a series of small-block V-8 engines that were in production between 1954 and 2003. This 327-cubic-inch engine and 265-cubic-inch powerplant developed the nickname “Mighty Mouse” during its eight years of production. This was because of its exceptionally compact and efficient engine design, which made it pretty much perfect in every way.
The 327 engine was Chevy’s best production engine in numbers and in longevity. This was mainly because of the 327 engine’s part interchangeability. You could swap out parts from different past year model vehicles and use them in the 327 engine. And we’re talking about parts from different vehicle models spanning back almost 45 years.
But interestingly, the 327 was not Chevy’s first V8. Between 1917 and 1919, there were about 3,000 vehicles that had an almost obscure engine called the Chevy Series D V8 that had 55 horsepower at 2,700 rpm.
Going forward, in 1967 the 327 came out in four different power ratings, depending on the vehicle it was in. From 1962 to 1965, these were produced with four-barrel carburetors. Then in 1968, these were still produced with a four-barrel carburetor but they had more horsepower and torque.
The last 327 engine in production was in 1969 and it had a two-barrel carburetor, but by then the Chevy small-block was already on the market. The 327 Chevy engine is still being used today by many classic Chevy auto enthusiasts. That’s how powerful and durable this Mighty Mouse engine really was.
Which Models Have a 327 Chevy Engine?
The Chevy 327 engine was eventually replaced by the Chevy 350 engine. But with the power and reliability of the 327, many of these engines are still on the road today. The 327 engine was used by almost every Chevy vehicle on the market during 1962 and 1969. And the following are just some of the vehicles that have had a 327 engine in them:
- Chevy Malibu
- Chevy Impala
- Chevy El Camino
- Chevy Chevelle
- Chevy II
- Chevy Corvette
People Also Ask the Following Questions About the 327
There are plenty of questions out there about this exceptional motor. But here is a sampling of the most frequently asked questions about the 327 engine.
How Can I Tell if a Vehicle Has a 327?
If you are trying to find your Chevy engine block with casting numbers, you can confirm this by doing the following. Look on the front passenger side cylinder head, which is usually behind the alternator. You will see a square machined pad on the deck surface that will be stamped “327 Chevy engine.”
Are the 327 and the 350 Block Engines the Same?
No. The 327 engine has a 3.25-inch stroke and the 350 engine has a longer 3.48-inch stroke. So, the 350 engine is bigger. But, depending on the year of the block, the main difference between the two is the journal size.
Was the Chevy 327 Engine Ever Made with a Four-Bolt Main?
No. Chevy never made a 327 four-bolt main. But this can be done by making one with a large journal 327 crank and putting it in a four-bolt 350 block. This is because they both have the same bore hole.
Do the Heads from a 327 Engine Fit on a 350 Engine?
Yes, they fit perfectly on both. This is because they both have a four-inch bore.
How Much Horsepower Does a Chevy 327 Engine Have?
This engine is a 327 cubic inch small-block that reached its highest horsepower in 1965. The highest horsepower for this engine was 365 with a four-barrel Holley carburetor. Or it might have also had a 375 with a Rochester Ramjet fuel-injected system.
How Much Does a Chevy 327 Engine Weigh?
The ever-popular, durable, and long-lasting 327 engine weighs approximately 530 pounds.
Is the GM 5.3 Engine the Same as the Old 327 Engine?
No, they are nothing alike. The General Motors 5.3 is a 325 engine and is nothing like the old 327 engine. In fact, the 325 engine is not similar in any way to the old 327 engine.
Is the Chevy 327 a Good Engine?
Yes, it is. It worked great with the carburetors, intake manifolds, pistons, cylinder heads, and the camshafts that were used in the 1960s. It was one of the most reliable engines of all time.
And because the engine parts are interchangeable between different model vehicles of that day, this engine can be made to go on almost forever.
