Thread: 327 "High Torque"?

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Hi I have A 86 GMC body on a 72 K20 chassis whith a 327. It used to be my grandfathers tow truck but I now use it to plough snow. I just recently noticed that under where it says 327 on the valve cover it also says "High Torque Model". Does anyone know anything about this? how much torque and Horsepower does this have? Is it rare? Any information on this would be appreciated.

Welcome to CHR:
In all likelihood, the 327 in your 1972 chassis is a transplant. The last production 327 was built in 1969. It came with a with a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, had a 9-to-1 compression ratio and was rated at 235 horsepower and 325 foot pounds of torque. The high torque on the valve cover designated a truck engine. On the 327 (as well as the 283) they had different heads with a relatively small intake valve (1.72/1.50 versus 1.94/1.50 for cars) and short runners which resulted in higher velocity and quick acceleration at low RPMS but is gasping at about 3500 RPM and peaks at around 4K. As I recall, the torque was typically 10% greater than the engines installed in standard production Impala with the same rated horsepower so you’re probably looking at 235 horsepower and a maximum of 345 foot pounds of torque.

The decals came on a whole bunch of engines – all trucks.

Oh ok thanks . Mine has a 4 barrel but it should have a 2?

In front of the passenger side head, there is a flat surface on the engine block. This surface has some letters and numbers stamped into it.....tell us those numbers and we can decode what the block was originally installed in, the original carb, the original horsepower and the original transmission.

Originally Posted by PistonsInMotion

Oh ok thanks . Mine has a 4 barrel but it should have a 2?

Not necessarily - I referenced the configuration for the last production year of the 327. Get the numbers from the pad on the front of the block (passenger side) and we can decipher what the engine was originally in. It could well be a factory 4 barrel.

Ok thanks. but I will not know the numbers on the block until tomorrow