I also have been brooding on changing my 235 to an early ( 1963 ) 327.
The Van is a 1960 P-20.
I love the 235 and I have nothing but praise for it. I did a lot of work on it and it starts and runs beautifully. I have no idea how many miles the 235 has on it, but, no smoke, runs 'strong'...and virtually no 'ridge' at the Cylinder Bore tops.
Odometer shows 120,000, but who knows how many times it has been around, or when the 235 was rebuilt last.
However, I can not get out of Town with it, since it is too slow an Engine for the Interstates. I hope to move Cross country early next Year, and I would rather Drive it than have it Transported.
I have a re-Built early 1963 327 which has been adapted to have a 350 Crank, which, along with being bored .60 over, puts me some ways above 350 CID then...and I think 10 to 1 compression ratio...and Hydraulic Valve Lifters and and Hydraulic Lifter type Cam.
I would be running headers and probably a Rochester 4 Barrel Carburetor...but maybe a Quadrajet...I do not know enough about them to make up my mind yet on the Carb and Intake Manifold choice.
Van has a 4-11 Differential.
I have the 'period' factory Engine Mounts and Cast Iron Bell housing, to marry the early 327 to my present Transmission ( which is Three-on-the-Tree ).
I understand one has to use a Shroud on the back side of the Radiator, since the 327 is a lot shorter than the 235.
The 327 is a lot lower than a 235, so I am hoping I will be Okay with the Engine 'Dog House' cover not needing to be modified.
I will need to find P-20 or kindred 283 option Throttle linkages and Generator Bracket, if anyone knows who might have those?
( The 283 was an optional Engine for the Van when new, and of course a 283 is the same Block and fit and so on as a same time era 327, as far as I gather anyway ).
What Flywheel would be good, do you think?
And, is there anything else I should be thinking about or scouting around for, for this Engine change? ( other than a LOW profile Air cleaner? Lol...)
Should I forget this idea and just leave the wonderful old 235 in the Van? And just have the Van Transported across the country, instead?
I am torn!
What do you all think?
Last edited by Thriftmaster_Phi; 08/28/2014 8:50 AM.
