Thread: 327 with power pack heads, cam question

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Hello, I´m new to this site and hoping for a little help.
I´m currently working on my friends 67 el camino, the car has a 67 327 with the 283 power pack heads on it, so I think this was the standard combination for the 250hp version. In the past we´ve installed shorty headers and 2.5" dual exhaust, weiand dual plane intake and a 650 holley vacuum secondaries, car has stock converter and I believe 3.08 gears.
Now we are looking for a nice street cam (hydraulic flat tappet) setup. I know the 283 heads are limiting the powerband. Can anybody recommend a good cam and probably lifters and valve springs?
I really appreciate your help.
Thanks a lot, Bastian.

Welcome to CHR, Bastian – you’ll find a lot of good hot rod and engine building "know how" here and we’re a real nice bunch of guys and gals who love cars!

The 327 is an all time favorite of mine. You’re correct in your assessment of the heads and I think a kit from summit such as a SUM-K1102 for $99.95 is tough to beat. It will work well with the combination of pieces that you have added with a noticeable difference in the 1500 – 4000RPM range. If you’re working with a Powerglide, I’d use this cam.

The SUM-K1103 (also $99.95 for the cam and lifters) will give you a bit more mid range, but is at the edge for stock stall converter and a 3.08 rear end. If you have a TH350, this cam would be okay as the 350 uses a 2.52 low versus the 1.76 for the Powerglide.

Others will chime in I’m sure

Again, welcome to CHR!
Glenn

FWIW, 250 hp 327 heads have the same power pack molding marks as the 283 heads. The intake valves are 1.72 inches while he exhaust valves are 1.5 inches. 283 heads are the same size. You can check casting numbers here:

Small Block Chevy Cylinder Head Identification

Glenn gave you some good choices for cams to wake up that 327. What is holding this vehicle back is the 3.08 rear gears and the Powerglide tranny. Switching the rear gears to 3.70 would make a huge difference in how it performs. A TH 350 tranny would also help considerably. I am not a fan of Powerglides. Something for him to think about down the road.

Hello, thank you for your help guys.
I forgot to mention the car has a Th350 trans. I don´t think the owner wants to change out the rear gears, because this car is driven a lot on the street, in the summer it´s his daily driver. He was only thinking about throwing in my old b&m stall converter in the car, but I think the stall is too high for a street car. The converter stalled at about 2900rpm behind my 500ft lbs big block, should be around 2400 behind the 327, or am I wrong?
But anyway the SUM-K1103 cam from Summit looks like a good choice. just need to find replacement valve springs, don´t want to re-use the old springs. I will give the heads a small pocket port job, this should help them to breath a bit better.

If your interested here is a picture of the 1967 el camino behind the riviera.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteri...57629081515217

thanks again, best regards bastian

The stall converter would be a good idea. 2400 stall speed should be fine for that application.

I concur with Lynn - 2400 stall and the 1103 kit would be a good fit with the TH350 with the 3.08. Won't see God on launch, but will definitely notice performance improvement over stock!

For springs, I'd go with "Z28" type springs - they're readily available for well under $100 - key is to stay at or below 325# open to preserve the integrity of the cam and lifters.

Check this link

Z28 Valve Springs, Retainers & Locks sb Chevy 265 283 305 327 350 400 sbc | eBay

Regards,
Glenn