Rebuild or New engine for the 68

[72c20customcamper]

I talked with a local builder yesterday about rebuilding my 327 . It's been rebuilt once so I'm not sure what I'll find tearing it down . Cam is definitely wiped out which means there is most likely metal filings throughout the motor . Cost without any problems will be around $ $2800. Then a new carb ,water pump fuel pump etcetera.

My other option I was looking at is the Blueprint 350 . Its $2100 more but it's a drop in with aluminum heads and roller hydraulic lifters . And it would be shipped next week . Anyone have experience with these motors ?

https://blueprintengines.com/product...m-carbureted-1

[72c20customcamper]

I plan on keeping the 327 for later use . But I can rebuild it at my leisure don’t want to be into it and find that it needs more work than expected .

[Ironangel]

If your going to build a 350 from the crank up you can stroke it for the same money and have more torque/power. I've heard good things about Blueprint and that motor would be a nice drop in if you have $5K layin around. Building a motor right is costly now days. Heads carburetor and intake is $3K add the roller cam & lifters, forged slugs with rods and a crank. Now your at $6K lookin for headers... I bought a Jegs crate 350 about 10 years ago, nothing special just a long block when they were going for $1200 delivered. Those GM Performance L-31's are a good choice. PS. Put that 327 on a stand and rebuild it at leisure...

[jocko]

Mark, your 68 is such an original gem, I can't imagine anything else in there other than the 327 (unless, of course, you need to drive it soon). If you're gonna put the 327 back in eventually (that's kinda what "for later use" sounds like to me??), then the savings of the less expensive 350 become a moot point in the long run.
But you know me, I like em original.

[GSP7]

....Put that 327 on a stand and rebuild it at leisure...

Good idea.....

Nothing wrong with buying a crate motor, the more sbc the better

Lets see picture of your 68

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by jocko

Mark, your 68 is such an original gem, I can't imagine anything else in there other than the 327 (unless, of course, you need to drive it soon). If you're gonna put the 327 back in eventually (that's kinda what "for later use" sounds like to me??), then the savings of the less expensive 350 become a moot point in the long run.
But you know me, I like em original.

Idea is to eventually put the 350 in my 72 when the 327 is done .

The machine shops here are outrageously priced . One guy quoted me 125$ to turn two rotors on my Dodge . New Mexico made ones were 160 same with the flywheel for my big block was almost cheaper to buy new .

[72SB]

OP

same situation I was in with my 327. After talking with a few shops on rebuilding....it became VERY clear the BPE motor was a + on several points. 1 piece RMS, full roller cam, 4 bolt mains....and a warranty. I got one that makes more power (411hp/413tq). Have had it for over a year now with about 10k mi. Runs great, no leaks.

I have the 327 and may put it in my 72 (250 motor)....but I also have saved to cart a BPE for it as for the same reasons on my 67

No, I do not give a F about being "original"....but if thats your thing, rebuild the 327

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by GSP7

Good idea.....

Nothing wrong with buying a crate motor, the more sbc the better

Lets see picture of your 68

New Mexico truck zero rust

[ghackett1]

[QUOTE=72c20customcamper;9196725]I talked with a local builder yesterday about rebuilding my 327 . It's been rebuilt once so I'm not sure what I'll find tearing it down . Cam is definitely wiped out which means there is most likely metal filings throughout the motor . Cost without any problems will be around $ $2800. Then a new carb ,water pump fuel pump etcetera.

My other option I was looking at is the Blueprint 350 . Its $2100 more but it's a drop in with aluminum heads and roller hydraulic lifters . And it would be shipped next week . Anyone have experience with these motors ?

https://blueprintengines.com/product...m-carbureted-1[/

In my opinion it’s gonna cost you more than that for all the machine work and parts. Why not just pull the 327 and save it if it’s the matching numbers engine and drop in a Crate engine. I struggled with the same option as you and went with a Blueprint 355/390HP and love it. Pic attached. Just my .02.

[Rickysnickers]

I have a Bluerprint 400 and it's been great.

[Accelo]

The state of affairsis basically what has been parroted above.
Manufacturing has gotten so good that the machine shops can't compete.
We used to have three or four motor shops in my small town of 40k.
All have closed up except one and he would like to retire.
Shops are so busy and backlogged you would be silly to attempt to get anything done unless it is some type of valuable motor.
IMHO An older truck 327 doesn't qualify for special treatment.

The new motors

1. Don't leak;

2. One piece main seals and raised valve cover rails and center bolt covers.

3. Roller cams:

   No worries of a new motor having the came go flat. Updated lifter ramps

4. Aluminum heads"

   One can run higher compression ratios without pinging. Better flow than any 50 year old heads. The motor is lighter.

5. More displacement

   25 more HP and motor torque everything else being equal and it's not.

I just don't see any reason to retain an original unless you want your truck all stock down to the valve stems.
Cheers

[HoneyBeeMan68]

Wow if you can get a 327 that fast from bpm you should jump on it fast!! when I ordered my 355 from them, they said its a 60 day backorder right now. Hopefully they get it done next week!!! (the 60 days will be up) Just ordering a starter from them was backordered 2weeks! I'm not bashing them, but this work shortage thing is killing everything!! We live in new times!!

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by HoneyBeeMan68

Wow if you can get a 327 that fast from bpm you should jump on it fast!! when I ordered my 355 from them, they said its a 60 day backorder right now. Hopefully they get it done next week!!! (the 60 days will be up) Just ordering a starter from them was backordered 2weeks! I'm not bashing them, but this work shortage thing is killing everything!! We live in new times!!

350 not a 327 . The one I linked is now may 8th shipment. This one would ship tomorrow guess they are catching up and or demand has dropped.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp350ctc

[72SB]

Like everything else, during pandemic and after, BPE suffered supply line issues. I got my 355 before that and it shipped next day and I had it 4 days later. It appears they are getting back ahead of the inventory issue.

[dagnabbitt]

I ordered my 355 during the pandemic directly from Blueprint and it was on my shop floor a week later. And I'm in CANADA. I think it all depends on the person you are dealing with on the other end of the telephone.

You won't regret buying from them. I don't have deep pockets, so it was both the largest sum of money I have ever spent on a vehicle, and the best money I have ever spent on a vehicle.

[ghackett1]

As an update, my Blueprint 355 engine with 800 miles on it developed a squeaking sound coming from under the valve covers. The warranty service was good and they sent me a new set of GM rocker arms, nuts and balls. Another occurrence was that while removing the #8 intake rocker to change it the screw-in stud snapped off. Again they were notified and sent me a new screw in stud. Again good warranty service.
Now it runs as it should, there is a movie of the engine running with the squeaking sound that I made on you tube.

[72c20customcamper]

Update : Truck is running my cam diagnosis was off was just a bad well worn rocker . I put a used on it and a new carb running like it should but it’s still tired . I bought a truck with a 5.7 Vortec with plans on putting that in but I ended up trading to a friend for some carpentry /roofing work . That engine is now in his 88 with a carb and new distributor .

I hooked up with a friend that owned a machine shop for 40 years and his specialty was blower motors . He set up a shop in his garage afree he sold his business and just does a few engines a year . He said he would do the 327 for me in the spring he goes to his place in Florida late October and has two to complete,and if I help him out it with the shop would only cost me parts . So I’m putting the truck away for winter and pull the motor .

[ghackett1]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Update : Truck is running my cam diagnosis was off was just a bad well worn rocker . I put a used on it and a new carb running like it should but it’s still tired . I bought a truck with a 5.7 Vortec with plans on putting that in but I ended up trading to a friend for some carpentry /roofing work . That engine is now in his 88 with a carb and new distributor .

I hooked up with a friend that owned a machine shop for 40 years and his specialty was blower motors . He set up a shop in his garage afree he sold his business and just does a few engines a year . He said he would do the 327 for me in the spring he goes to his place in Florida late October and has two to complete,and if I help him out it with the shop would only cost me parts . So I’m putting the truck away for winter and pull the motor .

That’s great on the 327, they’re a great motor. I have one in my 68 Camaro ragtop: