Gettin a Big Block for the 72

:D:rolleyes:So I have a few small blocks laying around the garage Im not doing anything with so I posted em up no craigslist for trade. I got an offer for a 427 dissasembeled but complete. I looked at it today looks pretty good. Comes with 502 heads no springs or rockers(w/ screw in studs), the orig matching heads (complete), edelbrock torker manifold, sfi fluid dampener, stud girdles (which will go directly to e-bay), adaptor plates to use the 502 heads, and new moroso valve covers. Just waiting for a call back when we can finalize the deal but I cant wait:D:rolleyes: I plan on running my 400 small block for a while but I dont know how long it will last w/ only 5psi of oil press (running 20-50 oil) and Ill builtd big block i the mean time.

adapter plates? they dont go between the heads and intake manifold do they? If so then its a tall deck 427 out of a C-60. not the same as a car 427.

Yeah it is a truck motor are they bad?

Heavier, need longer push rods, 2 sets of intake gaskets (to leak) for spacers, throws your exhaust location off by 1/2 inch, may interfere with brake booster if you have one. Make sure he has the right length rods and pistons with the correct compression height. Using a 6.135 rod will give a short snappy piston and rod movement. I would use no less than a 6.385 rod length with corresponding piston pin height.

We used one to build a 496. That will be the last tall deck we ever build. Going with a Dart block for the 500 incher.

No boster, manual brakes. Plan on going 30 over with it and using the 502 heads. Nothing to radical. But it is a 77 block and heads thats why im leaning towards the 502 heads. Should I keep looking for something else?? Im new to big blocks so I dont really know, any info is helpful. Hes asking $1250 for it is it worth that much?? Oh and the rods are factory.

I think 1973 was the last year for 427 tall decks. 454's went all the way to 92. It's possible what he has is a 454 late model block with a 3.76 crank making a 427. Does this engine have the one piece rear seal? Make sure it's not a 366 he's trying to unload on you. The bore should measure at least 4 1/4. Although the 366 has the same stroke as a 427, the crank counterweights are an oddball size, and I would check the casting numbers to be sure and avoid that crank. $1250 is a good price, IF there are good parts in it. By that I mean forged pistons and the assembly is balanced. There is really no difference in a tall deck, barring clearance issues, once you have everything to make it work, like longer pushrods, manifold spacers etc.

Here is a link to block casting numbers. http://www.roadsters.com/bbc/#bore
And one for cranks- http://www.mortec.com/cranks.htm

Hope this helps.

The numbers said 427 1977-1990 the block is completly disassembeled.

I think to price is a little high. Just because it says 427 dosen't make it valuable. The tall deck engines just aren't very desireable anymore. The positives are the crank and rods. The engine will have a forged crank and rods with the big 7/16 rod bolts. The problem is the pistons. From the factory the tall deck truck engines used a heavy 4 ring piston that you don't want to use. To get away from this, you'll need a set of pistons that have the compression height you need, and they'll still be heavy, and expensive. Now to lighten the piston, you could use aftermarket 6.385 rods, but now you'll need a custon piston. You may get lucky and find a shelf piston that works, but i'm not sure.

Now, that being said, see if you can get the engine a little cheaper, but I'd still get it. What I'd do is to keep the crank, rods, intake, dampner, and 502 heads. Sell the block and stock heads on E-bay. Someone will pay a few hundred for that block (why I don't know, but they do). then pick up a 454 bare block. You should be able to sell the tall deck block and heads for enough to pay for the 454 block. Now you have a standard 427 that uses off the shelf 427 parts, or an off the shelf 496 stroker kit. You also get away from intake spacers, header fittment problems, hood clearance issues, and don't forget, the tall deck uses a special distributor as well.

The 502 heads could be either large ovals or rectangular port heads. If they are the ovals, just have the valve size enlarged when you have tham redone and you'll have a great set of street/strip heads. If they are the rectangular heads, they'll be fine as is with a valve job and proper springs.

Well after not hearing from him for a few weeks we set up the swap for thursday.
Heres a link to the info on the block and stuff
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/pts/1004684570.html

Is this for the 72 you bought for 800.00? Saw the pics on your car domain link. How did you score a deal like that? You lucky @#$%!

Hey Mike, congrats on the find. Great deal you got. I can't wait to see some more pics. I'll keep in touch. Billy.

Is this for the 72 you bought for 800.00? Saw the pics on your car domain link. How did you score a deal like that? You lucky @#$%!

Yeah I got it for $800 and drove it home. I could hve gotten it for $600 but shot my self in the foot when I offered him mor money because he was unshure. Did you see my $400 elcamino??