Engine opinion You know how it goes........
 

Here I am working on my 68. Was going to replace the wood bed and paint the truck and drive it. Now I have installed a later power steering unit and have the front wheel wells out to look for rust ( there is none)and all the chrome etc stripped.
Looking to do Vintage air so pulled old heater motor and stuff.Radiator out.Get new wiring and on and on. Well you know how it goes..... :but:
Got boxes full of baggies with nuts bolts screws etc labeled of course.
Sitting here looking at the engine. Not original it's a mid 70's 350 with Qjet coupled to a th400.
I'm this far maybe I should pull engine and rebuild it.
The 68s came with 327 not 350. What do you guys think of going back to a 327? Do they have about the same horsepower specs and what about economy,a 2 barrel carb as compared to 4 barrels.?
I guess what I'm asking , is there much difference between the two?
Are 327s available? :confused:

327 compared to 350's? It depends on more than cubic inches. That's why Boss Mustangs & Camaro's were so hot with 302's in the late 60's / early '70s, I do know that lots of people who should know say a 4 barrel will give better fuel economey than a 2 barrel IF you keep your foot out of it. I guess it depends on what exactly your gonna use the truck for. Do you NEED more power, or do you WANT more power. I know an engine builder who's drag race car had a straight 6. Why? Just to prove he could make anything go fast. Boils down to how much do you wanna spend.

I'd stick with the 350 myself. If you want a smaller engine for better MPG....it'll take many many miles of 1 or 2 MPG better, to pay for a new engine.

Either way would be good.. I like 327's and the 350's... If you go with a 327 make sure it's a large journal version. Just in case you want to combine them and build a 302! :metal: As far as mileage goes... there's not much difference but 4bbl's makes it more fun.. you know.. for "emergencies" :rolleyes: ..........

It's really staying stock. More power is not my goal, just want a nice driver and haul light items or maybe a light weight trailer 2000lbs.
When I was a contractor I had a 69 GMC with a six and tree speed . That was a work horse and did all I asked of it ( kinda wish I still had it)
Chris

FYI You need to use a small journal 327 block and 283 crank to make a 302.

262- 3.10" stroke 2.45" main all 3.671" bore
265- 3.00" stroke 2.30" main all 3.75" bore
267- 3.48" stroke 2.45" main all 3.50" bore
283- 3.00" stroke 2.30" main all 3.875" bore
302- 3.00" stroke 2.30" main in 67 2.45" in 68-69 4.00" bore
305- 3.48" stroke 2.45" main all 3.736" bore
307- 3.25" stroke 2.45" main all 3.875" bore
327- 3.25" stroke 2.30" main in 65-67 2.45" in 68-69 4.00" bore
350- 3.48" stroke 2.45" main all 4.00" bore
400- 3.75" stroke 2.65" main all 4.125" bore

gotta love chevy the possibilities are endless!!!!!

From the outside 350 looks like a 327 you could use a older intake one with the oil fill on the front. But I would stay with a 350.
As for a 2bbl/4bbl
My 71 3/4 4x4 has a 350/350 3.73 and a 2bbl and gets maybe 11mpg My 72 K5 400/350 3.73 my 72 with a Q-jet get way better mpg...Now the 72 does weigh less but I have my size 9 in it a little harder... :)

So the stroke of the 350 is about 1/4" longer than the 68-69 327, giving it more torque with the same 4.00" bore.
Thanks for specs draino76. That's what I was looking for.
This info helps me.I'll keep the 350 untill it needs rebuilidng. Then I'll keep the 350 and rebuild it.
I think I said that already.............................
Chris