VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1965-1970 Chevy V8 Shortblock...1969

I have a shortblock V8 bought in December 1969. Part number is 3857615...anyone know if this is a 327 300HP or a 327 350HP? Thx. Billu38

Can you post the 2 or 3 letter code on the block in front of the passenger cyl. head? If you bought this new at the dealer, it could be a CE engine...Joe

Joe, I bought this new from a Chevy dealer. There are no numbers or letters on the machined pad on the block. The part number I gave you was on the receipt. Billu38

The bore size on a 302, 327 & 350 are the same 4". The 302 is the only one with dome pistons. The cyl heads & carborator make the different horse power on the 327 or 350. The crank casting number would say for sure which engine size you have. Does it have flat top pistons?...Joe

There was one of these on e-bay in January. They were calling it a 327-350hp

I believe the crankshaft journal size increased in the 327's in 1968. I know that the 327 was used in trucks later than it was used in production cars. I agree with jiaccino that the cylinder heads and carburetor make the different horsepower combinations. The camshaft also played a role in which horsepower the engine was rated.

Well to further confuse things I used my original double-humped 1964 327/300HP heads and the original 300HP 327 intake manifold with the original Carter AFB "E" Series 4 barrel carb. The only thing I changed from the original 1964 300HP engine was the shortblock assy....thx... Billu38

There is a NOS short block and heads with that part # on ebay at the present time. It appears that is a special high performance Corvette with the 30-30 solid lifter cam. The auction number is 281094297514. It gives the same part number and other info. Hope this helps. Chuick

Thanks Chuick...the plot thickens..same part number but mine has hydraulic lifters and was bought 3 years later than the one in the Ebay ad...It says 63-66???? Maybe it had multiple uses for several years and like other VCCA members said, crank, cam, piston, carb variations...for different HP ratings???? I'm gonna see if I can see the casting numbers. I've had it in the car since 1969 so I can't see the pistons and don't remember if they were flat, domed or whatever...too long ago! Barely remember what I looked at YESTERDAY!!! thx..Billu38

Hi Bill,
I know all the 327 blocks starting with cast #385 weren't released until 1965.I quickly leafed through a couple of casting # books and do not see your exact number. Jim

Looking back through the post I don't see that he has given us a casting number...only a part number that was on his receipt...Joe

That's correct..it's a part number from the receipt..I still haven't crawled over the engine to get the casting number...will do soon..thx...Billu38

my mistake.part number it is.