How do I find a 427

[Peter Rastello (33299)]

I'm not yet convinced I should do this, but I think I'd like to swap out the original 350/300 currently residing in my '69 coupe (It can reside under oily rags for awhile). I've looked around a little on the net for a 427, but don't really know how to approach this.


Does anyone have suggestions on where I can find a decent engine? Maybe an LT1? How about a ZL-1? I remember reading about someone (Joe Lucia I think?)doing this.


Best regards, Peter.

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I find a 427

Peter-----


Yes, a "ZL-1" is what I'm doing. Most of the pieces are currently available from GM or in reproduction. Right now, though, the block is out of stock in GM warehouses and there is no firm date for the next production run. But, as far as I know, more are going to be produced at some point. That's the good news.


The bad news is that if you get a REAL GOOD deal on all the pieces like I did, these pieces will set you back just about $16,000. On top of that, I've got another slew of NOS parts that I'm taking out of my own inventory that are probably worth another $3,000 or so, if you could find them. Purchasing and having painted the original big block hood(not L-88/ZL-1) I obtained will cost a total of around another $1,000. Then, of course, finish honing of the cylinders, fitting the pistons to the rods, and precision balancing of the reciprocating assembly will cost another $500, or so(unless I want to buy my own Sunnen CK-10, which I don't). ALL the rest of the engine preparation/assembly work, I'll do myself so that will save that additional cost.


Now, none of this includes the brand new M-22 transmission that I assembled from NOS components that I purchased over 15 years ago at a then-cost of over $3,500. So, a "ZL-1" is very "do-able", but it can get a little expensive.

[Jerry]

Re: How do I find a 427

Hi Joe; I have read before your dislike for the ZL1 / L88 hood and wondered how you are going to approach t******* the intake off without it, obviously the hood mounted air cleaner element is out, just curious.


Jerry

[George Daina]

I have one of those that I don't need......

the factory L-88 hood, that is. Uncle Joe is right, if you want to seriously build one of those, it will set you back a couple of pennies. Another option you can look at that will blow the doors off the ZL-1, is a 502/502 crate motor for 1/4 the price. Go to:


WWW.SALLEE-CHEVROLET.COM


Check out the prices of their complete engines, including the 502 and also the ZL-1 block. BTW, it will cost less to buy the block, crank, heads from Sallee or other dealer, and the rest of the components from Summit, Loper, or any other mail order place. I was toying with the idea of getting the 502 bare block, putting in a 1/4" stroke, and ending up with a 540 C.I. monster, guess how much the short block would have cost? Only a mere $4200, about $1300 less than a bare ZL-1 block. My mother's health threw that idea out the window. Maybe that will be my winter project next year.

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I find a 427

Jerry-----


No problem. I don't intend to use an original-type L-88/ZL-1 intake manifold. I'll be using the 1971 LS-6 intake manifold. This manifold is the only dual plane, rectangular port manifold that will fit under the standard 68-72 big block/LT-1 hood. Of course, some performance will be lost in comparison to the high rise aluminum manifold. Given my plans for building the engine, I'm betting that there will be plenty of performance left after "sacrificing" the high rise manifold. In fact, and as I may have mentioned before, this engine is actually going to be sort of a hybrid of the ZL-1, L-88, LS-6, and still-born LS-7.

[Jeff Burkey]

Re: How do I find a 427

Joe, regarding your comment on the "still-born" LS-7, I understand Chevrolet had one of these cars drive cross-country for performance testing. A "mule" maybe...??? I was wondering if there are any docs or reported "sightings" of this event/car today? Best regards, Jeff B.

[Ol' Geezer]

Re: How do I find a 427

Geezer here . In the mid-'70s, I nearly upgraded to a LS-7. I had a low-compression 454/425, which I thought should be higher performance. I had bought the 12.5:1.0 pistons, rods, and rings (from my handy parts counterman). As I remember, Chevrolet was about ready to have two very similar engines with those parts. One was to be more street-able, with double head gaskets. That was the route that I had planned to follow. I was ready to start balancing these parts on a high-accuracy balance at my lab. Then I learned that the rotating parts were balanced as a unit, by adding or subtracting weight on the flywheel. So I sold off the car.

[Patrick H.]

Re: How do I find a 427

Jeff,


It is presently reported as lost, according to some at GM who know.


While in medical school a few years ago (89-93), I was talking with a classmate whose Dad worked for GM in the late 60's to mid 80's. My classmate distinctly remembered going for a ride in the then-prototype LS-7 car that his Dad was able to bring home one night. Not bad if you remember a ride 20 years later that you took at age 4! It must have been just as awesome as the reports of the day described.


Anyway, I hope to live the experience myself when given permission by Joe...


Patrick Hulst

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I find a 427

'Geezer'-----


I don't blame you! If I found out something like you found out about balancing the engine, I'd sell the car off quickly, too! In fact, I'd probably let the car go for half what it was worth just to get rid of it. The nerve of those guys!

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I find a 427

Jeff----


Bear in mind that as far as GM-manufactured "prototypes", "experimental", "engineering test", "concept", and "pre-production" vehicles go, there were probably more configurations constructed over the years than even our unrestrained imaginations could conjur up. But, with respect to PRODUCTION vehicles, that's another matter. The former class of vehicles and the latter class are two different things altogether.

[peter rastello]

Re: I have one of those that I don't need......

Thanks George, it definately sounds like I'd better get ready to spend some money, but I guess that's the nature of the game. Maybe I don't need to go to Europe this summer after all!


Peter

[JAT]

Re: How do I find a 427

Peter would you be interested in a LS6 complete engine? The price is between 4 and 5K?

[Ol' Geezer]

[Jerry]

Re: How do I find a 427

Hi Geezer: I'm from Chicago and was never aware that snow tires were capable of fitting on Corvettes regardless of size, learn somethin new every day.


jerry

[Jeff Burkey]

Re: How do I find a 427

Patrick; I think I once read where the test driver said it was like, "taxiing a jet down a runway for take-off..." One of the ultimate jockey rides to say the least!