I have always wanted a '67 BB Coupe and I am considering taking the plunge. The car would be used primarily for a nice Cruise night and show and shine car. Are the 427/390 cars decent driving vehicles on today's gas? Any major overheating issues or other problems specific to this engine that I should be aware of? Thanks in advance, Mark.
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
When properly prepaired, they'll run very well on today's gas and will run cool. they are very civil on them streets. go for it. mike -
Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
There are no problems that I really know about the 390hp engine. My beliefs about over heating tend to look at causes related to poor maintanance and modifications. On a old car, things just need to be attended to. Radiator must be clean (not half full of sediment or choked off with corrosion). Radiator shroud needs to be there. If the engine was jumped on hard and tore the left side engine mount and rocked the engine, the shroud will be the first to go and sometimes it doesn't get replaced. You have to have it or you have no excuses about over heating. If the engine was rebuilt and is pushing more horse power then originally designed, the cooling system will have an additional burden to keep the heat down. Last, the fan clutch must work properly. All this stuff needs to be considered when you start wondering why a car seems to just want to over heat. I think a lot of people blame the cars for over heating and it just isn't justified. The 390hp is the easiest of the BB's to maintain, it had a very proven Quadrajet(make sure the throttle shaft is not worn out or it will idle poorly) and hydraulic lifters set-up (no tapet adjustments unless it has been altered). It is a very nice engine and can take a lot of abuse and it gives you the torque feeling that everyone likes to feel and associate with power. It is one thing to have an original BB engine, it is another thing to have one that runs right. When they run right, they can put the fear in your pants in a strange way. Enjoy, TerryComment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
Quadrajet? 67 had Holley.Comment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
Wayne and Terry-----
Yes, 66-67 L-36 used a Holley Model 4160 carburetor; 68-69 L-36 used a QuadraJet. The QuadraJet is, by FAR, the best carb for street use, though.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
Mark----
The L-36 is the best 427 engine for street operation. As far as all big blocks go, it's probably right behind the 1970-71 LS-5 454 engines in driveability and "sweet running", all-around operation.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
I am aware that the 68-69 had a Rochester. I have rebuilt hundreds of them. The question was about the 67 and I didnt want any confusion there. As for which is better for street use, that is a matter of opinion.Comment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
I don't know that much about mid-years. But I felt it was reasonable to assume that there isn't a whole heck of a lot of diffence between a 67 and a 68 390hp. I was mainly refering to my experience with a 68 390hp. Thanks for pointing out that difference. Regards, TerryComment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
Wayne-----
I don't doubt, at all, that you are aware of the fact that 68-69 used a Rochester. However, others may not be. The intent of my response was to AVOID confusion; NOT generate it. I believe that my response was VERY clear. Terry brought up the subject with respect to Quadrajets and L-36's. I simply explained how QuadraJets fit into the L-36 picture.
As far as which carburetor is better for street use, it goes without saying that my statement was an opinion. I don't find it necessary to preface EVERY opinion that I offer with the qualification that it is an opinion. I figure that most folks can seperate opinions from other sorts of information. However, my OPINION is based upon approximately 200,000 miles of driving cars with a Holley carburetor versus approximately 200,000 miles of driving cars with a Rochester Q-Jet. IN MY OPINION (qualifying the statement this time so that it's crystal clear to EVERYONE), the Q-Jet is HANDS-DOWN the better carburetor for street operation and OVERALL performance. Not even a slight doubt in my mind about it.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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I'll second that...
A friend of mine has a '70 396SS, which had been fitted with a Holley. So much trouble he found a correct Q-Jet, car drives MUCH better now. Come to think of it, all the performance people I know, including one who has a high-end speed shop, can't stand Holleys. Like I always say, "Holleys are easy to work on- because they need to be".Comment
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Re: My wife used to commute in heavy tradffic
My wife used to commute dayly in bad traffic with my big block car when I had the 390 horse cam in it. The car also has a 4 speed. I pulled out some of the mechanical advance and ran more inital advance. Easy to drive and never overheated. I bought her a 67 firebied with a 400 ci 4 speed to get my car back. Didn't work. I had to get her pregnet to get my car back.
GO FOR THE CAR.
JonComment
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Re: My wife used to commute in heavy tradffic
working on getting her PG had to be more fun than working on recurving the distributor.Comment
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Re: That goes without saying
She was jelous of that car until she started driving it. Then I could not get her out of it.Comment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
Thanks for all of the responses guys. I had '72 LS5 and with the lower compression, gas was never a problem. It's time to realize a long-time dream and go after that '67 BB. Need to do a little more pricing homework though. If anyone has any comments on current pricing, please feel free to post or email me. Thanks!Comment
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Re: '67 427/390 Driving Issues?
I've got the 66 427/390. Replaced the Motor mount from where I'd jumped on it too many times in my youth, replaced fan shroud. It is an excellent driver that can romp and stomp pretty well and still is a piece of cake to drive. I love the engine and believe that it holds up very well and handles everything I want it to with lots and lots in reserve. Hope that you find your way clear to getting the car, I'm sure that you would like it.
Regards, Steve Pettit
The tractor gas that is available here in cal. is not really up to snuff, but a little timing adjustment seems to have taken out the pinging except when I get lazy and pull steep grades in the wrong gear.Comment
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