63 with wrong engine

[Stephen G.]

I've just started in on my 1st ground up resto of a 63 covertible. As I get further in I'll see just how original (or not) things are. I knew going in that the engine was not original. Looks like I got a early 70's Vette 350. Given that the engine is not original, how should I approach the engine refurb ? If the entire engine is not stock, does anything I do to it matter or is there anything I can do to improve the situation.

[Robert C.]

Re: 63 with wrong engine

Stephen, If your not going to have the car judged in the NCRS, it makes no difference what you do. Just make the engine compartment pretty! If you have it judged, you would get a full deduct for the engine.-350 pts.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: 63 with wrong engine

It's difficult to make a 350 look like a 327 or 283 due to the engine breathing system change. You can't use the solid valve covers on the 350 because there is no provision for crankcase ventilation. Your only option with the later engine is to make it look nice. Put a stock air cleaner on it and 99.9% of the people who look at it won't have a clue that it isn't supposed to look like that! Drive it and enjoy it. Someday you'll run across a correct block which you can build up as an eventual replacement for the 350. In the meantime you can work on other areas of restoration/refurbishment.

[Richard W.]

I faced the same problem with my 1963 SWC

I bought a crate 350 put the original (327/340hp) intake, carb, etc. and exhaust manifolds. Bought some nice looking valve covers to provide plumbing and a used top shielding piece. It looks great, runs great, has a warranty and to most people looks sharp. I do not ever plan on having it judged, just a reliable driver. One of the benefits of a nonoriginal engine car is that you can enjoy it and not worry if that you are going to spoil a national treasure.

P.S. Some of those original engine cars ain't!

[Jack layton #896]

Re: 63 with wrong engine

Since you are into a body off, which is a fairly strong commitment to the car, I would suggest finding a 327 with at least the correct casting numbers(3782870) and a set of heads with intake and carb. A lot of this stuff is on e-bay. That way the engine will have the correct appearance for the 1963 time period. I would not worry about casting dates ect. unless you are headed for a top flight at the NCRS. There are just too many car guys who will spot a 350 vs a 327 at a Corvette show. But very few of them can read the date code on a 1963 carb.

[Boyan B.]

Re: 63 with wrong engine

Try looking in Hemmings motor news under blocks or engines in the Corvette section. There are a few people that advertise all kinds of blocks with dates that will probably fit close to what your car originally came with.

[Dave Suesz]

My 2¢

Don't waste money on a wrong engine, you'll end up paying twice, because sooner or later you'll want that 327. Check Hemmings, yards, etc. and get the heads and block you need. Even if you don't go for the ignition shields, carb, and air cleaner you need right away, you will be able to upgrade to these items easily at a later date. Changing the block, especially over nicely painted fenders, can be a nightmare. Spend the few bucks now and you will have the satisfaction. One other thing: Use the stock blueprint camshaft, and original compression ratio. The cost is the same vs. "souping up", and you will have the authentic performance of the original, which, after all, was legendary.

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 with wrong engine

I also have a 1963 convertable with a 350 engine. Over the past 3 years I have been replacing the incorrect items with correct corvette parts. The carburator, intake manifold, ignition sheilding, air cleaner, short water pump, fan, and pullies. The only parts you can't replace are the valve covers. The 350 valve covers have breather holes and the 327 don't. I have recently found a 3782870 block with 3782461 heads on ebay and I am having it rebuilt. As soon as it's ready I'll pull the 350 swap parts and install the 327. It should look and run like new. There are companies around that sell dated and rebuilt blocks. You can find them in Hemmings. I thought it would be best to get the block and have a local shop rebuild it. At least that way I know what went into it. It's really not a numbers matching car unless you have the original engine but you can get close.