The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chevy Tall Block

I'm trying to figure out if this 1978 bus had a 366 or a 427 tall block. I would like to use it in my bolt if its a 427. I would rather not pull the head to measure the bore size...unfortunatly the valve cover didn't say witch one it is.

I can't find any websites for decoding these engine...or even decoding the vin on the Bus...

Any help would be great.

Thanks
ROB

Check this out, bro..

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/73-87specs.html

Altho it says engine sizes ranged in those model years from a 454 to a 250.. no mention of a 366 or a 427.

Thats probubly because this is a 5 ton bus and not a C or K model. The serial # seams to match so whatever the "E" designation for engins means...that is what it is...

Fear not.. somebody else will come along soon with the answers you need!

I haven't ever heard of a 427, but it sure sounds like it would be mean in an old bolt!

I did soome more searching, and perhaps this will be of some use to you in identifying your motor.

Their list didn't mention a 427 in '78, and no 366's at all.. but again, it wasn't a complete list. The last years the "Chevrolet By The Numbers" list seems to cover is 70-75.

I'll keep digging..

Try checking the casting number against this list. http://www.roadsters.com/bbc/#blocks

There is really nothing wrong with a tall block motor as long as you make sure you know what it is when you order parts. I don't recall the specifics, but its not a real big deal according to one book I've read about building big blocks.

You guys who haven't heard about 427's make me feel real old...

Even if its a 366 it will have more power than you will ever use in a pickup

speakin of old...hehehe.. yeah i remember 427's LOL..but my rememberer cant remember a 366..?? its not i wasnt around...i cant remember..??? uhhhhhh but for chevys the casting numbers on the block behind the drivers side head on top of the block on the ledge where the bellhousing bolts up..will tell ya what block it is... go to mortec.com has most casting numbers....

Here's a web site that I think will have the info you need. http://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm. To my knowledge the 366 is still available. I'm not sure about buildup info, but the later model ones I have seen are different because some of them have 2 thermostat housings on the intake. I would think it would take a different set of heads, pistons, intake and carb to make it rev, but the bottom end is stout.

Rob,

When you say "E" designation for engine, do you mean that is the engine code within the VIN, or the suffix in the engine serial number? I don't think there is an E by itself as an engine serial number suffix, but I did find reference to a VIN-E code pertaining to the 427 truck engine. Lookie here for a list of the suffixes for the 366 and 427 truck engines. Note the VIN codes in the comment column.

Try the Dirt forum tool box.com This site will have all the info you need +++ .The one block you have I think you don't want to invest money into.Check around ,ask ???? There is something about that block that's just not right.Im not sure but the bottom end is weak.Maybe not ,Just something I can't remmember.Maybe someone can help out.

Fatweed, the 366 is a downsized big block engine found only in mid-size and larger trucks. There was never a passenger-car or pickup application, to my knowledge.

I can remember when the big block engine first came out, and it was originally a 427, for racing purposes only. It was known as the "mystery engine" because nobody had seen a Chevy big block before then except the 409. This one had straight-sided valve covers, not the scalloped ones. Junior Johnson dominated the 1963 Firecracker 400 race at Daytona, until late in the race when the engine siezed up. Within a few laps, every big block Chevy had failed. Post-mortem teardown revealed twisted-off oil pump drive shafts on all of them. Too much oil pressure! The first production-car big blocks came out as 396's in the 66 Caprice.
Jerry

That's right. The 366 was usually found in 2 ton trucks. Quite a few were farm trucks. Engine never really caught on like Chevy had hoped. Basically it was a big block 350, with a bit more torque.

"The first production-car big blocks came out as 396's in the 66 Caprice."


Hotrod Lincoln, wasn't the 396 available as an option in the '65 Stingrays?

Hmmmm- - - -I don't know. I was racing real sports cars at the time, and didn't have any interest in fiberglass Impalas!
Jerry

Be aware that aftermarket intakes will not fit the tall deck big blocks without spacer plates.
There are a few made for the tall deck blocks,
but are very $$$$.Nearly all are for high RPM
use.
Also the dist. has a longer shaft.
My 2 cents worth.

Arnie

My brother in law had a 396 in a 65 impala... they were also in chevelles in 65,,, I couldnt remember,,thought id heard a 366 was almost a 396 LOL.. but didnt know if it was one of those v-6 gimmys or sumpin... couldnt remember... PS.. uhhhhhhh ive got a 3 duece "GM" manifold for a 348 409 if anyone is interested,, doubt ill ever use it...

I had a '65 Impala with a 325 horse 396 with a Powerglide. I drove that car to college back when gas was cheap. Today I'm driving a 454. Guess I didn't learn anything.