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Pampered-Z · 04-15-2008, 09:14 AM

Man, it's been many years since I played with one of those engines! So this is all from what I remember?

But I think you are correct in that the heads are interchangeable as far as the bolt holes should be the same. If you run older heads (pre 85?) you will need to fix the holes in the intake base where the bolts pass through into the heads because the angles are different. Not a big problem to overcome. I’m not 100% if all the water passages match from an early motor to late model heads either? Likewise you may need to block off the water jackets in the heads that would have passes coolant thru the intake? If the block/head water holes line up, you might be better off finding a set of TPI 350 heads, same bore between the engines. And this way you also don’t run into issues with different exhaust ports making header selection a problem.

I did a 70’s 355 engine in my 84Z and had a few issues to overcome. The early engines had the dipstick on the opposite side from the new engines. I have to “customize” a set of Edelbrock shorties to work. I had to use and aftermarket oil pan, the 70’s pan wouldn’t fit, and the 84 pan didn’t work dir to the dip stick. So you may need to work out a different oil pan/dipstick configuration based on the car the engine is going into? Allot of the fitting (such as the water temp) used different size fittings so I had to get adapters for them.

What are you plans for the engine - Drivability or performance? When you select your heads you will need to look at is the size of the combustion chambers which will affect your compression ratio, and air flow. That combined with a TPI will be needed to determine your cam selection as well. My first thoughts is a 327 could be high compression and you’ll need larger chambers to run on pump gas, or even thicker head gaskets to lower the CR a bit? Also 327s with their short stroke like to be rev’d high, and a TPI likes only moderate RPMs, Since you have less displacement then a 350 you might have some extra air flow, but you’re going to need a cam that works with the TPI set-up.

John

04-15-2008, 09:14 AM	#2
Pampered-Z Sliderule / Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Catawissa PA Posts: 2,294 iTrader: (1)	Man, it's been many years since I played with one of those engines! So this is all from what I remember? But I think you are correct in that the heads are interchangeable as far as the bolt holes should be the same. If you run older heads (pre 85?) you will need to fix the holes in the intake base where the bolts pass through into the heads because the angles are different. Not a big problem to overcome. I’m not 100% if all the water passages match from an early motor to late model heads either? Likewise you may need to block off the water jackets in the heads that would have passes coolant thru the intake? If the block/head water holes line up, you might be better off finding a set of TPI 350 heads, same bore between the engines. And this way you also don’t run into issues with different exhaust ports making header selection a problem. I did a 70’s 355 engine in my 84Z and had a few issues to overcome. The early engines had the dipstick on the opposite side from the new engines. I have to “customize” a set of Edelbrock shorties to work. I had to use and aftermarket oil pan, the 70’s pan wouldn’t fit, and the 84 pan didn’t work dir to the dip stick. So you may need to work out a different oil pan/dipstick configuration based on the car the engine is going into? Allot of the fitting (such as the water temp) used different size fittings so I had to get adapters for them. What are you plans for the engine - Drivability or performance? When you select your heads you will need to look at is the size of the combustion chambers which will affect your compression ratio, and air flow. That combined with a TPI will be needed to determine your cam selection as well. My first thoughts is a 327 could be high compression and you’ll need larger chambers to run on pump gas, or even thicker head gaskets to lower the CR a bit? Also 327s with their short stroke like to be rev’d high, and a TPI likes only moderate RPMs, Since you have less displacement then a 350 you might have some extra air flow, but you’re going to need a cam that works with the TPI set-up. John __________________ 93Z M6 Black: The 385 Lives! Supercharged, 3-core front mount intercooler, GTP heads, 3:73's, Street twin clutch, Jethot Longtubes, Mufflex 4" catback/spintech, S+W cage, Spohn Suspenion, Yada Yada Yada 1) Build it 2) Race it 3) Break it 4) Repeat!!!