Thread: 307 from a Chevelle

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Originally posted by techinspector1
Although there are those on this board who will argue the point, a 283 block cannot be bored to 4.000".

mine is 4.000

Originally posted by gassersrule_196
mine is 4.000

Hey,your 4.00 bore 283 can go right next to all my cracked 400 blocks.

"Just curious, what would be the benefits of a large journal 327 over a garden variety 350...or a garden variety 327 for that matter?"

I wouldn't think there would be any benefit other than the crank would be a little bit more bulletproof. After all, that's why Chevrolet changed from a small to a large journal crank anyway, right?

The small journal crank would be easier to rev due to being lighter and would have lower bearing speeds, but would break easier.

Originally posted by erik erikson
Hey,your 4.00 bore 283 can go right next to all my cracked 400 blocks.

That's funny...

mines not cracked. and ive seen pistons for a.155 over 283 smart a** BTW thats what you get for running and boring a 400 sbc siameases cylinders

Originally posted by gassersrule_196
mines not cracked. and ive seen pistons for a.155 over 283 smart a** BTW thats what you get for running and boring a 400 sbc siameases cylinders

Easy now scooter, I got a bored and stroked 400 ending up at 420 cubes running a 177 blower @8psi with the jackets half filled and running on the street everyday. No cooling problems or cracks yet.

Note: The only production block I use is the 509 high tin, high nickel. I splay the center three caps and stud it. Aftermarket is much better when you can get the money up.

Well, I may have another option. My wife's grandmother lives with us (she's 80+) and she has a wheelchair-bound friend who has an early '80's Buick LaSabre parked in her yard. I stopped by it today and lo and behold it's a 350!!! Probably backed by a TH-350 (do you think???).

That said, I may be able to talk her into the whole car for $100 or possibly free. The thing may or may not run...no idea...and it's pretty well thoroughly thrashed (paint peeling off, dents, interior looks like a family of badgers were living in there, headliner falling down, smells like ass...you know, thrashed!) so it isn't worth anything as a car, at least to me, but the drivetrain could be valuable.

She offered it to my wife's grandmother for $400 a couple of years ago...maybe that was before the badgers moved in!

Now your talking! Get that one and you'll have all the peripheral stuff and the motor and tranny. Good things come to those who wait ( or something like that). Good luck with that one.

Yeah...I really felt as though I were "settling" on the 307 when I really wanted a 350. I know they are very similar, but there's just something about knowing you have a 350 on your engine stand compared to a 307.

It also sounds WAY different when you tell your buddies what engine that is..."Oh that's a 307." "Oh, that's a 350." Worlds of difference!!!



We'll just have to see how my negotiating skills are... That car's registration ran out in '94!!! It's been sitting there for 12 years!!! ...Hopefully that will be the argument that lands me a land yacht for really cheap!

Hey, if I get this, anyone want an early '80's Buick LeSabre Limited 2D without the drivetrain? I'll make you a good deal!!!

i realize this is an old thread but i want to state some things for people who are curious on these unappreciated engines:

i will vouch for the 307, its a tough little engine. i had one in my 68 full size truck with a powerglide and it wasnt a slouch (btw i frigging hated that powerglide...so uneconomical) but the engine had a valve seal leak and one cylinder wasnt firing and i ran it for months without that one cylinder it still wasnt a slouch...i had the 2 barrel and the powerglide and that dead cylinder and still got 17 mpg. pure ridiculousness. anyway i pulled it and am currently working on the 307 to get it running smooth and cool and possibly make a little more power (not really needed but its always welcome, im a layed back guy who really doesnt need the 350 thrill, i do have a 350 in my garage that i bought from a co worker for 300$ a price too good to pass up). i bought a 1980's camaro 5-speed (t5) and am gonna hook it up with the 307 with a mild q-jet...looking forward to those fuel consumption numbers and cruising that 68 truck..you really just need to know what you need and decide the best possible candidate for your needs...you may want that 350 but it might not be needed if you get a similiar feeling from an affordable and imho "cooler" engine...people will ask me if i have a fresh 350 in my truck, im gonna say "No, i have a 40yr old hunk of 307 iron that gets 22 mpg city (calculated based on the gearing i will have and my driving as the x factor)" now can the most of these 350 guys say that? Probably not.


and to bigred and others, you have to credit such an old engine for still running the way it is...its an engineering marvel. these old 307's are out and about with loving owners who think it is darn cool to have such a vintage engine instead of being cliche and dropping those 350's left and right into rods.

anyone considering any engine besides those 350s needs to be applauded for being diverse and giving those engines tlc.