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Re: 1967 390/427 in Beriut
Geoffrey-----
It's hard to say just what he needs---it depends on just how much was destroyed by the departing connecting rod. At a minimum, he's going to probably need a crankshaft, one connecting rod (and, likely, at least 2), pistons (probably at least 2), main bearing set, rod bearing set, oil pan, and, perhaps, an oil pump and oil pick-up screen.
No 427 crankshafts are available from GM. However, they can be purchased in the aftermarket (usually BIG $$$$). Competition Products (www.competitionproducts.com) might have some NOS GM pieces still available. They can also be purchased used/reground from sources like Performance Automotive Warehouse in Chatsworth, CA.
It's going to be hard to find a single piston or two. GM used to sell pistons individually, but the ones for this application are long-gone. Most aftermarket are sold as a set.
Rod and main bearing sets are easily available in the aftermarket. What he needs will depend on what sort of camshaft he goes with (i.e. new or reground). I would recommend Federal-Mogul "AP" series bearings.
Oil pan is still available from GM. GM #14091356.
Oil pump is GM discontinued, but easily available from Melling, TRW, etc.
To be honest, given the damage that the engine sustained, I really think that a complete engine overhaul is in order rather than a "patch job". The engine is going to need to be completely torn down to do even just a "patch job". So, since most of the labor is going to be needed, anyway, he might as well go through the complete engine.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 1967 390/427 in Beriut
Joe,
I knew this could turn out to be a can of worms. If I was in his shoes, I'd get a low horse Targetmaster big block, if there still is such an animal. I have not kept up with this GM stuff. I don't forsee any chapter being formed soon in the Mideast as in Northern Europe, but nothing surprises me much anymore. I don't know the value of keeping a boat anchor, when another will do.
Geoffrey
PS Once after Bloomington, I had him rolling when I asked if it was true that Arabs would sit under fig tress to eat their dates.Comment
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Re: 1967 390/427 in Beriut
This is a can of worms until the engine is opened and examined. Anything else is speculation and that can be a big win or a bigger lose proposition.
Odds are the crankshaft is scored. Over here, you may be able to cut the crank enough to fix it, .010, .020, or even .030 under. Yes, the hardening of the surfce would be gone, but that can be hardened again. But you don't know if it scarred a little or much more.
The piston may or may not be bad. Some get the skirt knocked off as a result, some look like someone went nuts with a hammer and punch, and others are untouched.
One piston may be a mistake. Depending on the rod, it could have beat the cylinder crazy. So boring may be necessary. Let's not do a chain auto parts store rebuild with a .020, .060, .010, .040 boring of cylinders. Until it is looked at, you don't know. With the age of the car, and who knows how many miles, he may need boring all of them anyway.
Two rods replacement is a distinct possibility. The one that was lost probalby was due to the bearing spinning until it seized. Up to that point, it was getting HOT. And no doubt the one next ot it was also getting hot. Odds are that bearing is not gone also, or nearly, and the rod could be shot from the heat.
Not mentioned is that in the process of the piston being shoved back up, the valves could be bent, the pushrods bents, or the rocker arms broken. Again, you have to look inside.
His real problem is getting a machine shop that can handle the job. I'm sure there are quality machine shops, but they may have never worked on a big block Chevy, or any Chevy, and while the principles are the same as with a Toyota and Nissan, there are tricks to getting them to live.
If the darn thing wasn't 750 lbs., he could get on a plane with it, fly here to have it done, then fly back and be ahead no doubt. He could get a big block short block from many places - Jegs, PAW, Summit, and others, and some of the performance Chevy dealers may even be able to find him one to fit.Comment
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Re: 1967 390/427 in Beriut
Chris,
Thank you also. I sent him this link. I just cannot give good advice on this topic. I know a little of nothing about everything. I'm sure this will help him make a better decision.
GeoffreyComment
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1967 in Saigon during Viet Nam
Does anyone remember the article in either Vette or Corvette Fever about the Army officer that had his new 1967 Green Corvette delivered to Saigon? The article is about 15 years old. It survived Tet in '68 and was shipped home with him. I wonder how many Corvettes are in the middle and far east?Comment
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Re: 1967 390/427 in Beriut
Geoffrey-----
No "Target" 427 engine is currently available as far as I know. The best choice in a COMPLETE NEW ENGINE would be a 454 HO available under GM #12568774. This piece GM lists for $7227 and can be purchased for about $5500. It's a virtual bolt-in. All that needs to be changed is the intake manifold, waterpump, and flex-plate. Use existing intake manifold, new short waterpump, and existing flywheel. All other peripheral parts will transfer to this engine. A new distributor drive gear must be installed on the distributor, though. GM #10456413 is what is needed.
The only "wrinkle" in the installation is that the clutch cross shaft boss on this engine is not drilled and tapped out-of-the-crate. So, this needs to be done, and it's a bit of a PIA.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1967 390/427 in Beriut
Geoffrey,
I am sure that he can find a competent mechanic to tear the engine down. The question raised is can he find a machine shop that is competent to do any machine work that needs to be done with the necessary quality. He may have more luck looking for a truck repair facility.
I suggest he tear the engine down and see what damage there is and we can go from there.
As suggested, the easiest would be to buy a complete long block assembly and install it. If the present engine is the original he can then he can take his time rebuilding it correctly, maybe ship it sea freight to the USA for rebuild.
VerleComment
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Re: 1967 in Saigon during Viet Nam
One of my best Viper customers (who came to the plant twice to pick up his new Vipers, accompanied by very large people with large lumps under their suit coats) was the ruling member of the Royal Family of the United Arab Emirates; he had a "thing" for Dodges, and had 128 of them in his climate-controlled garage collection - everything from WWII Power Wagons to Vipers. His brother, Ziad Alhassen, owns West Covina Dodge in CaliforniaComment
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Re: 1967 390/427 in Beriut
I know there are FEDEX pilots that have Corvettes, those 747's would not even know the engine was on board.Comment
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